Police in Bangladesh have arrested two young men accused of taking a 21-year-old married woman to an abandoned brick kiln in an alleged sexual assault after promising to help her reach home safely. The incident reportedly occurred in Saghata upazila of Gaibandha district, in the northern part of the country.
The two suspects were arrested on Saturday night and sent to prison through a court order on Sunday, 11 October, according to Md Durul Huda, officer-in-charge of Saghata Police Station. He confirmed the arrests on Sunday night.
The accused have been identified as Saikat Mia, 28, son of Alam Mia, from Helencha village in Bonarpara Union, and Mohammad Mustakim, 20, son of Badal Mia, from Ullasonatala, also known as Hajipara, in Kachua Union. Mustakim works as a battery-powered rickshaw-van driver.
According to information provided by police and the victim’s family, the woman was returning home on Saturday night after visiting her sister’s house in Gobindaganj upazila. At around 9 pm, she encountered Saikat in the Bonarpara area. He reportedly assured her that he would help her get home safely and arranged for her to travel in Mustakim’s rickshaw van.
However, the woman was allegedly taken to an abandoned brick kiln in the Helencha area of Bonarpara Union at around 10 pm. The two men are accused of raping her there in succession.
The woman’s cries for help reportedly alerted people in the surrounding area, who rushed to the scene and detained the two suspects. They subsequently informed the police.
Officers arrived at the location, took the suspects into custody and brought them to the police station. The arrests were made following the incident, and the two men were later produced before a court and sent to prison.
The officer-in-charge said the woman was rescued and taken to Gaibandha General Hospital for necessary medical examinations and treatment. She has also filed a case at Saghata Police Station in connection with the alleged assault.
The case remains subject to the legal process, and the allegations against the two accused will need to be established through investigation and judicial proceedings. Their arrest and remand in custody do not, in themselves, establish guilt.
The incident has also drawn attention to the importance of women’s safety when travelling at night, particularly when they depend on others for transport. Ensuring access to medical care, legal assistance and appropriate protection for survivors of alleged sexual violence remains essential. A thorough investigation will be necessary to establish the circumstances of the incident and determine responsibility in accordance with the law.