Schoolgirl allegedly raped after being lured, dies by ‘suicide’ after drinking poison, 2 arrested

Police have arrested two people, including the alleged boyfriend, on charges of rape and aiding rape of a schoolgirl in Panchagarh. The family said the schoolgirl committed suicide by drinking pesticide after the incident.

The schoolgirl died while under treatment at Panchagarh Modern Sadar Hospital around 9:30pm on Monday night. She was a resident of Panchagarh Sadar upazila and a ninth-grade student of a local secondary school.

The two arrested are Sohail alias Sohel, 25, of Jhechopara area under Panchagarh Sadar upazila and his associate easy-bike driver Rafiqul Islam alias Bagha Montu, 23.

According to police, the schoolgirl’s family and the first information report of the case, professional mason’s labourer Sohel developed a love relationship with the schoolgirl. Around 10pm last Thursday Sohel took the girl by easy-bike to the house of Abu Sayeed in Rajmahal-Purba Bagan area of neighbouring Hafizabad union. It has been alleged in the FIR of the case that she was raped there with the help of associates.

The FIR further stated that the girl was threatened not to tell anyone about the matter. Around 2am the accused persons put her on an easy-bike bound for Modelhat. It has been alleged that the driver and two passengers also tried to sexually harass her after finding her alone on that easy-bike.

At one stage the girl jumped off the easy-bike. Later she was rescued with the help of a local tractor driver. Around 2:30am she informed her brother about the matter over mobile phone. Later family members took her home from the spot.

According to the FIR of the case, when family members contacted Sohel the next day he threatened the girl not to show her face in society. Later out of anger and resentment the schoolgirl drank pesticide around 11am last Saturday. Family members admitted her to Panchagarh Modern Sadar Hospital. After remaining under treatment there for three days she died on Monday night.

Residential Medical Officer (RMO) of Panchagarh Modern Sadar Hospital Md Rezwanullah said the schoolgirl had been admitted to the hospital after drinking pesticide. Later the allegation of her rape became known. She died while under treatment. Samples have been collected for examination and the body has been sent for autopsy.

Meanwhile, the elder brother of the schoolgirl filed a case as the complainant last Sunday naming Sohel and three others and also naming three unknown persons as accused. Charges of rape and aiding rape have been brought in the case.

Immediately after the filing of the case police conducted an operation and arrested Sohel and easy-bike driver Rafiqul. Later they were sent to jail through the court.

Inspector (investigation) of Panchagarh Sadar Police Station Ashish Kumar Shil said two people have been arrested on the charge of raping the schoolgirl. Operations are under way to arrest the other accused persons involved in the incident.