Two men have been arrested in connection with the alleged abduction and gang rape of a 14-year-old girl in Sarail, Brahmanbaria, after she left home to attend a religious sermon gathering. The victim’s mother has filed a case against six people, while police are continuing efforts to arrest the remaining suspects.
The incident reportedly took place on the night of 7 October in a village under Noagaon Union of Sarail upazila. According to the complaint, the accused are Zakir Mia, 33, Naim, 24, Sohag Mia, 21, Mokles, Alamim alias Zikir and Bahar Mia, 22. All six are residents of Bariaura village in the same union.
Family members and police sources said a religious sermon gathering, known locally as a waaz mahfil, was being held on the grounds of a madrasa in the village that evening. The girl had left home to attend the event when the accused allegedly intercepted her, covered her mouth and forced her into an auto-rickshaw.
She was then taken to an isolated location beside a river, where, according to the case statement, Zakir Mia, Naim and Sohag Mia allegedly raped her. The other suspects were also accused of attempting to rape her. The girl was reportedly left near her home at around 11pm, after which the assailants fled. They allegedly threatened to kill her if she disclosed what had happened.
Victim receiving treatment in hospital
The girl eventually told her family about the alleged assault after suffering physical pain. Her condition subsequently led to her admission to Brahmanbaria General Hospital on Thursday, several days after the incident. She is receiving treatment there.
Hospital superintendent Dr Ratan Kumar Dhali said the girl had been admitted several days after the alleged incident, raising concerns that some forensic evidence might have deteriorated. Nevertheless, samples had been collected and sent for laboratory testing. The findings are expected to provide further information about the case.
The delay in reporting the incident has also raised concerns about alleged attempts to settle the matter informally.
According to the victim’s family, several local influential individuals had promised to help secure justice after news of the incident spread through the village. They allegedly advised the family not to approach the police, assuring them that the matter would be resolved locally.
The family said they waited for a considerable period in the hope that the promised intervention would lead to a resolution. However, when no satisfactory outcome emerged, the girl’s mother filed a case with Sarail Police Station on Saturday night, naming six people as accused.
Police investigation under way
Sarail Police Station officer-in-charge Manzur Kader Bhuiyan confirmed that Bahar Mia was arrested during a police operation on the night the case was filed. Naim Mia was subsequently arrested in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur area on Sunday, according to reports.
Police have launched an investigation and are continuing efforts to apprehend the other four suspects. The allegations against all those named in the case remain subject to investigation and judicial proceedings.
Bangladesh Mahila Parishad condemns incident
The Brahmanbaria district branch of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad has strongly condemned the alleged assault and called for swift legal action against those responsible.
Shamima Sikdar, general secretary of the organisation’s district branch, said the accused should be brought to justice promptly and face appropriate punishment if found guilty. She also urged the relevant authorities to ensure that those responsible could not evade accountability through loopholes in the legal process.
The case has highlighted concerns about the protection of children from sexual violence and the risks associated with attempts to resolve serious criminal allegations through informal arrangements. Such incidents require a proper investigation, the preservation of available evidence and access to medical and psychological support for survivors.
For the victim and her family, the immediate priorities remain her recovery, personal safety and the pursuit of justice through the legal system. The outcome will depend on the evidence gathered by investigators and the findings of the judicial process.
