Businessman detained for raping 5-year-old girl in Natore

Locals in Natore Sadar Upazila have handed a 45-year-old businessman over to the police after catching and beating him for allegedly raping a five-year-old child. The incident took place on Tuesday, and the victim's mother filed a formal case with the police station on Wednesday night.

The accused, identified as Shariful Islam, is a phuchka vendor and the son of Abbas Ali from the same locality. Meanwhile, the minor victim has been admitted to Natore General Hospital for treatment.

According to local sources, Shariful lured the child into a cornfield under the pretext of offering her phuchka, where he allegedly assaulted her on Tuesday afternoon. He then threatened to kill the child if she disclosed the incident to anyone.

The matter came to light after the child fell severely ill and had to be rushed to Natore General Hospital on Wednesday evening. Outraged by the news, local residents located Shariful, subjected him to a mass beating, and subsequently handed him over to the authorities.

Confirming the incident, Mansur Rahman, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Natore Police Station, stated that police responded to the scene, detained Shariful, and brought him into custody. The accused has since been formally arrested and produced before the court.