Woman student threatened with rape and murder on bus in Tongi, youth beaten for protesting

A female honours student, 23, was allegedly threatened with rape and murder by a bus driver and helper in Tongi, Gazipur. A young man who protested during the incident was beaten and seriously injured. Gazipur Metropolitan Police, GMP, have arrested the two main accused.

The incident took place at around 9:30pm on Thursday, January 1, on a Victor Classic Paribahan bus in front of Safiuddin Sarker Academy on the Dhaka–Mymensingh highway. The victim’s husband, Md Naim Islam, 23, filed a case with Tongi West police station.

According to the case statement, the victim boarded a Victor Classic bus, registration number Dhaka Metro-B-11-9288, from Uttara BNS around 9:30pm after finishing tuition, heading towards Tongi Hossain Market. When the bus reached the Safiuddin Sarker Academy area, the driver began driving recklessly. After the victim warned the driver, an argument broke out.

At one stage, the driver, Md A Halim, 29, and the helper, Md Amir Hossain, 45, allegedly threatened the woman with rape and murder and sexually harassed her.

The statement further says that when another passenger, Nur Nabi, 22, protested, he was attacked with an iron rod and seriously injured. He was first taken to Imperial Hospital in Dhaka and later admitted to Uttara Crescent Hospital for advanced treatment.

Speaking to Views Bangladesh, the victim said she wanted proper legal justice. She said she was publicly threatened with rape and murder and sexually harassed in front of passengers, and demanded exemplary punishment so that no one dares to commit such acts against women.

Her husband told Views Bangladesh that when his wife said she would inform the police, the accused became more aggressive, used abusive language and the driver sexually harassed her. He said he filed the case seeking justice.

The injured protester, Nur Nabi, is associated with the volunteer organisation BD Youth Revolution. Members of the organisation told Views Bangladesh that they strongly condemned the incident and demanded exemplary punishment for those responsible, adding that their stance against violence against women and terrorism would remain firm.

Confirming the matter, investigation officer SI Hanif Mohammad of Tongi West police station told Views Bangladesh that immediate legal action was taken after the incident came to light. Following the case, the accused driver and helper were arrested and produced before the court. The investigation and arrest operations will continue, and the victim is being given maximum support.

Police said the driver, Md A Halim, is a resident of Gazipur, while the helper, Md Amir Hossain, is from Barishal.