Man Detained After Alleged Child Assault in Gajaria

A 35-year-old man, identified as Monju Mia, has been apprehended by local residents in Gajaria Upazila of Munshiganj District following an alleged attempt to assault a five-year-old girl. The incident transpired at approximately 10:00 am on Monday, 8 June, in Noyakandi village, situated within the Bhabarchar Union. After detaining the suspect, an aggrieved crowd subjected him to a physical assault, commonly referred to as a mass beating, before officially handing him over to the local police.

Account of the Incident

According to eyewitnesses and local sources, the five-year-old victim was standing near a tube-well adjacent to her family residence in Noyakandi village. The suspect, Monju Mia, was walking along the path and approached the child under the pretext of seeking drinking water. Eyewitnesses alleged that upon reaching the child, he forcibly grabbed her and molested her by touching her inappropriately.

The child’s mother witnessed the act as it unfolded and immediately raised an alarm. Hearing her screams, nearby residents and passers-by rushed to the location. The suspect attempted to flee, but the gathering crowd successfully cornered and detained him. The local residents then administered a physical beating on the spot before contacting the authorities.

Defence and Counterclaim by the Accused

Following his detention and transfer to police custody, Monju Mia strongly denied the allegations of criminal misconduct. He asserted that he had been employed for the past two months at the ‘Alif Kacchi & Highway Restaurant’, a food establishment located in the Bhabarchar Eidgah area.

According to his version of events, he had completed his designated work shift on Monday morning and was taking a walk through Noyakandi village. He claimed that he noticed the young child standing alone near the tube-well and merely approached her to ask for her name. Monju Mia maintained that he was not involved in any unethical or unlawful behaviour, and alleged that the local residents began assaulting him without any justification.

Incident Summary

Police Response and Legal Actions

Upon receiving notification of the public disturbance and the alleged crime, a police team led by Sub-Inspector (SI) Md. Firoz Mia of the Gajaria Police Station arrived at the scene. The police intervened to secure the suspect from the hands of the local crowd and took him into state custody.

SI Md. Firoz Mia informed the media that due to the injuries sustained during the mass beating, the suspect was initially transported to a local hospital under police escort for mandatory medical treatment. Following his discharge from the medical facility, he was transferred to the Gajaria Police Station for formal detention. The Sub-Inspector further stated that the details of the incident have been conveyed to senior police officials. Law enforcement authorities are awaiting executive directives and a formal written complaint from the victim’s family to initiate subsequent legal proceedings and file an official case.