A 13-year-old girl has allegedly been raped by her stepfather in Patgram upazila of Lalmonirhat, northern Bangladesh, according to a case filed by her mother with Patgram Police Station. The accused, identified as Selim Hossain, has remained at large since the alleged incident, police said.
According to police and the case statement, the incident allegedly took place at around 10pm on Wednesday, 26 August, in the Bhandardaha area of Ward No. 7 in Jagatber Union. The girl is a student at an orphanage madrasa in Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila.
The girl’s mother, who filed the case, alleged that Hossain took his stepdaughter to visit her maternal uncle’s home in the Kachuapara area on Wednesday. After they had eaten there, he allegedly took the girl with him towards a bamboo grove in the Kashirdanga area, travelling through Tongtingdanga in Jagatber Union.
The case statement alleges that the girl was sexually assaulted at the secluded location. Hossain then allegedly left her beside a road and fled the area.
After the incident, the girl sought shelter at the home of a local elected representative. The matter was subsequently reported through the national emergency service 999. Police from Patgram Police Station arrived at the location and rescued her.
She was initially admitted to Patgram Upazila Health Complex for medical attention. On Thursday morning, she was transferred to Lalmonirhat Sadar Hospital for further treatment. Hospital authorities are overseeing her medical care and necessary examinations.
The girl’s mother filed the case at Patgram Police Station at around noon on Thursday, 27 August. Following the filing of the case, police launched an operation to locate and arrest Hossain.
Police said the accused has been untraceable since the alleged incident. His mobile phone has also reportedly been switched off, preventing investigators from obtaining his response to the allegations.
Patgram Police Station Officer-in-Charge Saiful Islam confirmed that a case had been filed by the girl’s mother. He said police were conducting an operation to arrest the accused.
As the investigation proceeds, the allegations will have to be established through evidence and due legal proceedings. Given the girl’s age, her protection, medical care and continued support will also remain important while investigators work to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
