Police Intercept Bus in Ashulia to Foil Attempted Sexual Assault

A swift and coordinated operation by police in Ashulia led to the rescue of a female passenger and the arrest of three men, including a bus driver and his conductor, following an attempted sexual assault aboard a moving commercial bus. The incident, which unfolded late on Saturday night along the Dhaka-Aricha highway corridor, resulted in charges being filed under the Prevention of Oppression Against Women and Children Act.

The ordeal began at approximately 1:30 am on Sunday when the victim boarded a Savar Paribahan bus at the Gabtoli bus terminal in Dhaka, intending to travel to Nabinagar. She was accompanied by an acquaintance, identified as Rubel. As the vehicle neared Nabinagar, the driver, 35-year-old Md Imran, handed control of the steering wheel to his 20-year-old assistant, Md Mushfequr Rahman Joni.

Imran then physically assaulted Rubel, issued death threats, and forcibly ejected him from the bus near the Sreepur area. Shortly afterwards, Imran also stepped off the vehicle, leaving Joni and a third associate, 30-year-old Md Sumon Pramanik, inside with the isolated female passenger.

With the bus continuing along the highway, Joni allegedly attempted to sexually assault the woman with the active assistance of Sumon. Meanwhile, Rubel, who had been abandoned on the road, alerted the national emergency service hotline, 999. His rapid call triggered an immediate tactical response from the Ashulia Police Station.

Despatching multiple operational units, officers intercepted the fleeing bus by positioning another heavy vehicle as a roadblock near the Rarhaipara bus stand. Police stormed the stopped vehicle, rescued the victim unharmed, and detained Joni and Sumon on the spot. The bus was impounded as evidence.

Following a formal complaint lodged by the victim, law enforcement launched a follow-up raid on Sunday afternoon, arresting the driver, Imran, in the Barhaipara area of Ashulia at around 3:30 pm. Confirming the developments on Monday afternoon, Officer-in-Charge of Ashulia Police Station, Mohammad Tarikul Islam, stated that all three suspects were placed in custody and forwarded to court.

The incident highlights ongoing safety concerns faced by women using public transport, particularly during late-night hours across the industrial hubs surrounding the capital. Highway corridors connecting Dhaka to suburban regions like Savar and Ashulia see thousands of commuters daily, yet late-night commercial services often operate with minimal oversight.

Local police officials emphasized that the successful interception was made possible by the swift use of the national emergency hotline, urging citizens to report suspicious activities on public transit immediately. Security measures and patrols along key arterial routes are being evaluated to prevent similar occurrences.