A senior medical practitioner in Madan Upazila, Netrokona, has come forward to report a series of severe death threats and targeted harassment. Dr Sayma Akter stated that she has been subjected to intense intimidation, including threats to her life and professional standing, following her role in the medical examination of an 11-year-old victim of sexual assault.
The victim, a madrasa student, was subjected to a violent assault that resulted in pregnancy. Dr Akter’s involvement was confined to her professional capacity, wherein she conducted essential health screenings and documented forensic evidence critical to the ongoing criminal investigation.
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Allegations of Targeted Intimidation
In a recent address shared via social media, Dr Akter revealed that she was forced to go public due to the persistent nature of the threats. She alleged that a coordinated group is actively attempting to sabotage her career and has issued explicit warnings of physical harm.
Reflecting on the risks associated with her professional obligations, Dr Akter stated:
“I am recording this address out of absolute necessity. A certain quarter is determined to ruin my career and has issued multiple life threats, including the threat of being hacked to death. Is my only crime standing by an 11-year-old child? I question whether the law in this country truly holds offenders accountable.”
Dr Akter expressed grave concern for the safety of healthcare workers who perform forensic duties in cases of gender-based violence. She clarified that her primary focus was the management of the significant physiological risks faced by the child, given the life-threatening complications associated with pregnancy at such a young age.
Formal Appeals for State Intervention
Citing a lack of effective protection at the local level, Dr Akter has formally appealed to the central administration for intervention. She highlighted that the intimidation of medical witnesses poses a direct threat to the integrity of the judicial process.
She specifically requested the attention of:
The Honourable Prime Minister, Tariq Rahman.
The Member of Parliament for Netrokona-4, Lutfuzzaman Babar.
Dr Akter urged the government to take immediate action to identify those responsible for the threats and to establish a secure environment for medical personnel involved in criminal cases. She noted that if doctors are intimidated into silence, forensic evidence may be compromised, allowing perpetrators of heinous crimes to evade prosecution.
Legal Context and Medical Necessity
The assault on the 11-year-old has caused widespread outrage in Netrokona. Under the Nari-O-Shishu Nirjatan Daman Ain (Women and Children Repression Prevention Act), such offences are treated with the utmost gravity, often carrying penalties of life imprisonment or the death penalty.
The role of a physician in these circumstances is two-fold:
Clinical Intervention: Providing life-saving care to a minor whose body is not biologically prepared for the rigours of pregnancy.
Forensic Documentation: Creating a definitive medical record that serves as primary evidence in a court of law.
Local law enforcement agencies in Netrokona have been notified of the threats against Dr Akter. While the primary rape investigation is currently active, the intimidation of a key medical witness has added a secondary layer of legal complexity. Reports suggest that administrative security protocols for both the victim and the physician are presently under review.
Professional Sentiment and Social Consequences
The harassment directed at Dr Akter has drawn sharp criticism from regional medical associations and child rights advocates. Experts warn that targeting medical professionals creates a “vacuum of accountability,” as it discourages others from documenting similar crimes.
As of 6 May 2026, Dr Akter remains in pursuit of formal state protection. The office of the Netrokona-4 constituency has been informed of the situation, and a formal police briefing is expected to provide further clarity on the safety measures being implemented. The medical community continues to emphasise that protecting those who provide forensic testimony is vital to ensuring that survivors of violence receive the justice guaranteed by the state.