Seven-year-old child raped; accused arrested

In a harrowing incident that has shocked the residents of Chandina Upazila in Cumilla, an 18-year-old youth has been apprehended following the horrific assault of a seven-year-old girl. The suspect, identified as Tushar Ahmed, was arrested on Tuesday afternoon, 30 December, after a series of events that exposed both a depraved crime and a subsequent attempt at a local cover-up.

Details of the Alleged Crime

The victim, a primary-school-aged child, is currently undergoing intensive treatment at Cumilla Medical College Hospital. According to the victim’s grandmother, the ordeal began on Friday afternoon, 26 December, when the child was lured away from her home.

The grandmother recounted that Tushar’s own grandmother had initially summoned the young girl to their property in Barkait village to help harvest Bilimbi fruits (a sour, tropical fruit) from a tree. Once the task was completed, Tushar allegedly enticed the girl into the house. It is reported that he then bound her hands and feet and gagged her to prevent her from raising the alarm before committing the assault. The perpetrator subsequently fled the scene, leaving the child in a critical, bloodied state.

Case Summary and Timeline

Attempts to Obstruct Justice

Disturbingly, the crime was kept hidden from the authorities for several days due to the intervention of local influential figures, known as Matabbars. Reports suggest that these individuals attempted to shield the suspect by brokering an informal settlement.

The victim’s father, who earns a modest living as a rickshaw puller, was reportedly pressured with offers of financial compensation to keep the matter quiet. This local interference ensured that the incident remained suppressed until Tuesday, when word finally spread through the community. Journalists, alerted by the growing public outcry, visited the village to investigate and promptly informed the local police.

Police Response

Following the tip-off from members of the press, the police acted swiftly. A raid was conducted in Barkait village, leading to the immediate arrest of Tushar Ahmed.

The Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Chandina Police Station, Atiqur Rahman, confirmed the police action, stating: “As soon as we were made aware of the gravity of the situation, we moved to take the accused into custody. Legal proceedings are currently underway, and we are committed to ensuring that justice is served according to the law.”

The community remains on edge, with many calling for strict action not only against the primary accused but also against those who attempted to subvert the judicial process through bribery and intimidation.