One arrested after widow gang-raped, assaulted in Jhenaidah

A widow in Kaliganj of Jhenaidah, was gang-raped and brutally assaulted, including having her hair forcibly cut.

Police have registered a case against four suspects following the incident, with Hasan Ali, 45, one of the accused, arrested on Monday (January 5).

Operations are ongoing to apprehend the other suspects.

According to police, the victim, a widow living in Kaliganj municipality with her 10-year-old son after her husband’s death, was attacked on the night of January 3. Locals rescued her and admitted her to a hospital.

The victim alleged that Shahin, one of the accused, had been harassing her since she purchased a house and land from his brother. He repeatedly demanded money and made indecent proposals. On Saturday evening, under the pretext of visiting her relatives, Shahin and Hasan entered her home, locked her relatives in one room and took her to another room to commit the rape.

After the assault, the suspects reportedly recorded a video and circulated it on social media. The victim has demanded exemplary punishment for the perpetrators.

Jelal Hossain, officer-in-charge (OC) of Kaliganj Police Station, said, "The arrested suspect is under initial questioning and that a forensic medical examination of the victim will be conducted."