Police have arrested two teenagers in connection with the gang rape of a 16-year-old college student in the Nayanagar area of Bhatara, Dhaka. The incident, which reportedly involved filming the assault for blackmail, came to light after a case was filed late Saturday night, a week after the crime occurred.
According to police sources, the victim is a higher secondary student at a local college. Within five hours of the case being registered, law enforcement conducted a raid and apprehended the two suspects. Due to their status as underprivileged minors, their identities have not been disclosed.
The Incident
The victim reportedly left home on the morning of March 8 to spend time with her 17-year-old boyfriend. They eventually went to a flat in Nayanagar. The sequence of events, as detailed by the authorities, suggests a calculated betrayal:
- Initial Assault: The boyfriend allegedly raped the girl under the “pretext of marriage.”
- Theft: After the assault, he reportedly stole 1,000 BDT from the victim’s purse and fled the scene.
- Blackmail and Second Assault: Immediately after the boyfriend left, his friend entered the room. He claimed to have recorded the previous act on video and threatened to leak it on social media unless the victim complied with his demands. He then proceeded to rape her as well.
Official Statements
Bhatara Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC), Emaul Haque, provided details regarding the investigation and the legal steps being taken:
“The victim’s family took some time to decide on their course of action before filing the case under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act and the Pornography Control Act on Saturday night.”
“Following the filing of the case, police launched an immediate operation. By 5:30 AM on Sunday, both suspects were arrested from the B-Block area of Saidnagar in Bhatara.”
Next Steps in the Investigation
The police have outlined a rigorous legal and medical process to ensure justice:
- Court Appearance: The two accused will be produced in court on Monday, where police intend to seek remand for interrogation.
- Medical Examination: The victim is being sent to the One-Stop Crisis Center (OCC) at Dhaka Medical College Hospital for necessary forensic tests.
- Legal Testimony: The victim’s statement will be recorded under Section 22 in court at a convenient time to solidify the prosecution’s case.
The swift arrests have provided some initial relief, but the incident has once again sparked concerns regarding juvenile delinquency and the safety of young women in the capital.
