Schoolgirl allegedly gang-raped after abduction in Faridpur

An eighth-grade schoolgirl (15) was abducted and gang-raped after the perpetrators broke a window of her home in Sadarpur upazila of Faridpur. Two suspects, detained by locals, have been taken into police custody. The victim is currently undergoing treatment in the gynaecology ward of Faridpur Medical College Hospital.

The incident took place around 1am on Thursday (July 30) in a village under Bhasanchar Union of the upazila.

According to family members, the girl's mother and grandmother were at the hospital at the time, leaving her at home with her younger siblings. A group of 10 to 15 armed men surrounded the house in the middle of the night. They first pressured the family to open the door. When they refused, the perpetrators broke a window, entered the house and forcibly abducted the girl.

When relatives and neighbours tried to intervene, the attackers threatened them with weapons. The girl was then taken on a motorcycle to the bank of a pond in a neighbouring village, where three men allegedly raped her in turns.

According to locals, about two hours later, when the girl fell seriously ill, the accused attempted to flee after leaving her in the courtyard of her home around 3am. The locals chased them and caught two suspects along with the motorcycle, beat them and handed them over to Sadarpur Police Station.

The two arrested are Helal Mridha (20) and Rais Shikdar (16).

The victim's mother said she was at the hospital for her mother-in-law's surgery. She broke down upon returning home and seeing her daughter's condition. She demanded exemplary punishment for all those involved.

The victim's younger sister said the attackers broke the window, entered the house and dragged her sister away.

Dr Salma Jahan of Faridpur Medical College Hospital's gynaecology department said the victim had injuries on various parts of her body, including marks of sharp weapon wounds on her left hand, chest and cheek, as well as abdominal injuries. The victim told doctors that three people raped her. Samples have been collected and sent to the lab for testing.

Faridpur Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime and Ops) Shamsul Azam said a written complaint has been filed. The matter is being investigated with the highest priority. The two suspects detained by locals are currently in police custody, and efforts are underway to identify and bring others involved to justice.