A so-called traditional healer has been arrested in Bogura city, Bangladesh, following allegations that he raped a secondary school certificate (Dakhil) examinee under the pretext of “driving out evil spirits”.
Police confirmed that the accused, identified as Hakim Rezaul Karim (40), had long been operating a practice of so-called spiritual healing, including exorcism and ritualistic treatment, from an establishment in the Namajgarh area of the city. His premises, located beside the Vandarī Mosque, was known locally as “Ash-Sifa Dawakhana”.
According to the complaint lodged with law enforcement, the accused claimed that the teenage girl was possessed by a jinn (supernatural spirit). Exploiting this claim, he allegedly convinced the victim and her family to seek treatment at his centre. He then reportedly took the girl into a room under the guise of conducting a spiritual ritual, instructed others to leave the area, and locked the door from inside. It is alleged that he subsequently raped her against her will.
The complaint further states that later the same day, the accused demanded 16,500 Bangladeshi Taka from the victim’s family, instructing them to bring the girl back to his establishment. When the family complied, he is alleged to have repeated the same offence inside the locked room.
The victim later returned home in distress and disclosed the incident to her family members. Following the disclosure, the family, in consultation with local residents, filed a written complaint at Bogura Sadar Police Station.
Acting on the complaint, police launched an immediate operation and arrested the accused on Tuesday night, 5 May, from the Namajgarh area. Authorities also confirmed that the victim has received medical attention and undergone a forensic examination in accordance with procedure.
A police officer at Bogura Sadar Police Station stated that the case is being treated with utmost seriousness and that a full investigation is underway. He added that all necessary legal steps will be taken based on the findings of the inquiry.
Summary of Key Details
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Accused Name | Hakim Rezaul Karim |
| Age | 40 years |
| Occupation | Traditional healer / ritual practitioner |
| Establishment | Ash-Sifa Dawakhana |
| Location | Namajgarh, Bogura city |
| Allegation | Rape under pretext of exorcism |
| Arrest Date | 5 May (Tuesday night) |
| Current Status | In police custody, under investigation |
The incident has caused widespread concern in the local community, prompting renewed scrutiny of unregulated spiritual healing practices and the potential exploitation of vulnerable individuals under the guise of superstition-based tre