Rape victim attempts suicide after arbitration proposes financial settlement

A young woman attempted suicide during a local arbitration proceeding over an allegation of rape in Sadar upazila, Narsingdi. The incident took place on Friday evening, May 23. She was rushed to a hospital in Dhaka from Narsingdi Sadar Hospital in critical condition.

The victim had been married in the neighbouring Shibpur upazila. Later, a young man from the same area promised to marry her. Based on that promise, she agreed to separate from her husband and developed a relationship with the man over a long period. However, the man later refused to marry her, according to family allegations.

When the victim's family attempted to take legal action, a local arbitration meeting was arranged. The meeting was held in a village in Sadar upazila on Friday afternoon. Local sources claimed that several local political figures and a police officer were present at the arbitration.

The family alleged that instead of marriage, a compromise was proposed at the arbitration in exchange for Tk 50,000. Upon learning this, the young woman became mentally distraught and locked herself in a room, attempting suicide. Family members broke down the door and took her to hospital.

The victim's mother said her daughter had been deceived, and a relationship was built based on a promise of marriage. When seeking justice, they were offered a financial settlement instead, leading her daughter to attempt suicide.

A doctor at Narsingdi Sadar Hospital's emergency department said the woman was brought in unconscious and later referred to Dhaka due to her critical condition.

Regarding his presence at the arbitration, district BNP sports editor Aulad Hossain Mollah said he had gone there briefly and later learned that most had expressed support for marriage.

The accused police officer denied being present at the arbitration, saying he had only inquired about the matter.

Narsingdi Police Station Officer-in-Charge M R Al Mamun said no police officer was present at the arbitration. Verbal complaints have been received, but no written complaint has been filed yet.