A woman was allegedly sexually harassed in Gabtali upazila of Bogura. She was also allegedly assaulted after her e-rickshaw was stopped. Police have arrested five young men in connection with the incident.
The victim, Riya Moni, 23, is a homemaker and resides in the Natai Para area of Bogura city. Police said a case has been filed over the incident and that the five accused have been sent to court. Gabtali Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Rakib Hossain confirmed the matter on Wednesday.
According to police and the case statement, the incident occurred around 6:30pm on September 27 on the road near the Tarnihat-Kainchagari Bridge in Baliadighi Union of Gabtali upazila.
Riya Moni had gone to her mother’s home in Chakla village with her young daughter. Due to a family dispute, she left the child there and began her return journey. She first travelled by van from Chakla to Gabtali Bazar and then reached Sabgram by CNG-run auto-rickshaw. From there, she hired an e-rickshaw.
When the e-rickshaw reached the paved road near the Tarnihat-Kainchagari Bridge, five young men allegedly stopped it. According to the case statement, they slapped and assaulted the e-rickshaw driver before allegedly assaulting the woman and pulling at her clothes.
After returning home, the woman received primary treatment locally and informed her husband, Pallab. She subsequently filed a case with Gabtali Model Police Station.
The arrested men were identified as Rakibul Hasan Shakil, 26, son of Dulu Fakir; Rocky Mia, 27, son of Khorshed Alam Member; Zihad Hossain, 24, son of Mofazzal Mondal; Emran Islam, 22, son of Rafiqul Islam; and Alamin, 24, son of Belal Fakir. They are residents of Malian Danga village in Gabtali upazila.
OC Rakib Hossain said police launched an operation immediately after being informed of the incident and arrested the five suspects. They were shown arrested in the case and later produced before a court.