A 14-year-old girl who was allegedly gang-raped in Sarail, Brahmanbaria, is suffering severe physical pain at home as her impoverished parents struggle to afford the medicines prescribed by doctors. Unable to meet the cost of her treatment, the family brought her home from hospital. While her parents are desperate to secure proper medical care for their daughter, they are also demanding exemplary punishment for those responsible.
Police have arrested two of the six accused in the case. Investigators are also looking into whether anyone in the locality played a role in delaying the filing of the complaint.
The incident reportedly took place on the night of 7 October in a village under Noagaon Union of Sarail upazila. According to sources familiar with the case, a religious gathering was being held on the grounds of a local madrasa that night. The girl had left home to attend the event when several men allegedly intercepted her, covered her mouth and forced her into an auto-rickshaw.
She was then taken to an isolated location beside a river. According to the allegations, three men identified as Zakir, Naim and Sohag raped her. Several others allegedly attempted to assault her but failed. At around 11pm, the perpetrators reportedly left the girl near her home after threatening to kill her if she disclosed what had happened.
Girl Reveals Ordeal After Three Days
Family members said the girl initially remained silent out of fear. Her physical condition began to deteriorate the following day, but she did not immediately tell anyone about the alleged assault. After her mother repeatedly questioned her about her worsening condition, she eventually disclosed the incident three days later.
The family subsequently informed local community representatives about the matter.
The girl was admitted to Brahmanbaria General Hospital last Thursday. Hospital superintendent Dr Ratan Kumar Dhali said at the time that she had been brought in several days after the alleged assault, raising concerns that forensic evidence might have deteriorated. Nevertheless, samples were collected and sent for laboratory testing.
Relatives later took her home, but the family’s financial hardship has made it difficult to continue her treatment.
During a visit to the house on Monday afternoon, the girl was found lying on a bed in a small, cramped room, writhing in pain. Even attempting to speak caused her considerable discomfort, relatives said.
Her uncle described the family as extremely poor. The girl’s father works at a cattle farm to support the household, and the family struggles to meet even its basic living expenses. The additional cost of medical treatment has placed them under severe financial pressure.
Local Discussions Preceded Police Complaint
According to the girl’s uncle, relatives went to Sarail Police Station on Saturday with documents from the hospital. Her mother subsequently filed a case naming six people as accused.
The accused are Zakir Mia, 33; Naim, 24; Sohag Mia, 21; Mokles, 52; Alamin, also known as Zikir, 40; and Bahar Mia, 22. All six are reportedly residents of the Bariura village in the same union.
The family said the girl’s mother informed two local community representatives, Rajab Ali and Humayun Mia, after learning about the alleged assault. A meeting was subsequently held with several local residents, during which participants reportedly agreed that legal action should be taken against those accused.
Humayun Mia said he travelled to Dhaka the following day for business and was not directly involved in subsequent developments. He added that local elders later informed the union parishad chairman about the incident.
Noagaon Union Parishad chairman and freedom fighter Monsur Ahmed said he had advised the family to arrange medical treatment for the girl and pursue legal action after learning about the incident. However, he acknowledged that he had not personally informed the police.
Two Arrested as Police Search for Other Suspects
Sarail Police Station officer-in-charge Manjur Kader Bhuiyan said the girl’s mother filed the case on Saturday night, naming six people as accused.
Police arrested Bahar Mia that night and apprehended Naim in Dhaka on Sunday afternoon. Efforts are continuing to locate and arrest the remaining suspects, the officer said.
Police are also making inquiries to determine whether anyone in the locality contributed to the delay in filing the case. The findings of that inquiry have not yet been disclosed.
Parents Demand Justice for Their Daughter
The girl’s father said his daughter was his only child and that he wanted those responsible for the alleged assault to be brought to justice.
Her mother, speaking through tears, said the family was struggling financially even before the incident. They could not afford to buy all the medicines required during their daughter’s hospital stay, she said, explaining that their financial circumstances forced them to bring her home.
She also called for exemplary punishment for the accused.
The case has highlighted the difficulties faced by economically disadvantaged families in accessing medical care after serious incidents of sexual violence. Alongside a thorough investigation, the survivor needs appropriate medical treatment, protection and psychological support.
Ensuring that financial hardship does not prevent the girl from receiving necessary care will be crucial as the case proceeds.
The investigation remains ongoing. The allegations against the accused have yet to be established in court, and they must be treated as allegations unless proven otherwise through due legal process. Meanwhile, the girl’s family continues to seek medical assistance for her and justice through the legal system.
