Two deeply disturbing incidents of child rape have come to light in Ashulia, Savar, and Meherpur, Bangladesh, highlighting the severe violation of children’s rights and safety. In Ashulia, two stepfathers have been accused of raping their minor stepdaughters, while in Meherpur, a child rape case has taken a dramatic turn with allegations of police bias and threats to release a video of the assault. These incidents underscore the systemic failures in protecting children and ensuring justice for victims of sexual violence.
Ashulia: Stepfathers Accused of Raping Minor Stepdaughters
In Ashulia, two separate cases of child rape have been reported, with the accused being the stepfathers of the victims. The mothers of the survivors have filed cases at the Ashulia Police Station.
In the first incident, which took place in the Gonokbari area of Ashulia, a woman who had remarried after the death of her first husband accused her second husband of raping her 10-year-old daughter. The incident occurred on March 9, after which the accused fled the scene. The victim’s mother filed a case with the police.
In the second incident, in the Nishchintapur area of Ashulia, another woman accused her second husband of raping her minor daughter. According to the case details, the woman had remarried five years ago and had two daughters with her second husband. On February 15, the stepfather allegedly raped one of the daughters. The victim revealed that she had been sexually assaulted by her stepfather on previous occasions as well. Enraged locals detained the accused and handed him over to the police.
Ashulia Police Station’s Investigation Officer, Kamal Hossain, confirmed that two separate cases have been filed in connection with the incidents. One suspect has already been arrested, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the other.
Meherpur: Threats to Release Rape Video and Police Station Siege
In Meherpur, a case involving the rape of a 9-year-old girl has taken a shocking turn. After being released on bail, the accused allegedly threatened to release a video of the assault on social media if the victim’s family did not withdraw the case. This led to widespread outrage and a siege of the Meherpur Sadar Police Station by students and local residents.
The incident began on September 9, when a 9-year-old girl, residing in a housing project in Meherpur Sadar, was raped by a man named Bayezid. The assault was reportedly recorded by an accomplice. The victim’s mother filed a case against Bayezid and two others, Alamgir and Barkat Ali, at the Meherpur court.
After being released on bail, the accused allegedly threatened the victim’s family, demanding that they withdraw the case or face the release of the assault video on social media. The family filed a written complaint with the Meherpur Sadar Police Station, seeking justice. On Thursday evening, Sub-Inspector Sujoy Kumar attempted to mediate between the parties at the police station. However, allegations emerged that SI Sujoy pressured the victim’s family to settle the matter, favoring the accused.
Activists from an anti-discrimination student organization, Tushar and Siam, arrived at the police station to protest the alleged bias. They claimed that SI Sujoy assaulted them inside the police station. News of the incident spread quickly, leading to a large-scale protest. Students and local residents surrounded the police station, demanding exemplary punishment for the rapists and the removal of SI Sujoy.
The situation escalated, prompting the deployment of an army unit to control the unrest. When Meherpur Police Superintendent Maksuda Khanam arrived at the scene, protesters rejected her assurances, chanting slogans of “fake, fake.” Eventually, the police superintendent assured the crowd that SI Sujoy would be suspended temporarily and that the accused would be arrested. Only then did the protesters disperse.
A Call for Justice and Human Rights
These incidents in Ashulia and Meherpur are stark reminders of the systemic failures in protecting children and ensuring justice for victims of sexual violence. The allegations of police bias and the threats to release assault videos further highlight the challenges faced by victims and their families in seeking justice.
Human rights organizations, both locally and internationally, have called for urgent action to address these violations. Ensuring the safety of children and delivering exemplary punishment to perpetrators must be a top priority for the government and law enforcement agencies. Additionally, allegations of police misconduct must be thoroughly investigated, and those responsible must be held accountable.
These cases are not just a national concern but also a global issue, emphasizing the need for collective efforts to protect children’s rights and ensure justice for victims of sexual violence. The international community must continue to advocate for stronger measures to safeguard children and uphold human rights worldwide.
Sources: Ittefaq, Independent
Date: 14 March, 2025
এই আর্টিকেলটি বাংলায় পড়তে চাইলে এখানে ক্লিক করুন
Read more news in this category
