A 44-year-old woman passenger has alleged that she was raped inside the catering coach of the intercity Kurigram Express while travelling from Dhaka to Kurigram. The alleged incident took place on Sunday night, according to the case filed with railway police.
The woman, who is from Sirajganj Sadar, lodged a complaint at Santahar Government Railway Police Station on Tuesday. A canteen worker, 22-year-old Abu Bakkar Siddique, has been named in the case along with two unidentified police personnel who were reportedly assigned to security duties on the train.
Following the complaint, railway police arrested Abu Bakkar and produced him before a court. He is a resident of the Abdulpur area of Natore.
According to the case statement and information provided by railway police, the woman boarded the Kurigram Express at Dhaka Airport Railway Station on Sunday night. She was travelling towards her relatives’ home and planned to get off at Parbatipur in Dinajpur, as the train does not stop at Sirajganj.
At some point during the journey, the woman went to the train’s catering coach. She later alleged that she was raped there. The circumstances surrounding the incident, including how she entered the coach and who was present at the time, are now being examined as part of the investigation.
The case has also raised questions about the role of the two unidentified police personnel named in the complaint. The railway police have not established their involvement, and their alleged connection to the incident remains under investigation. Authorities are expected to examine the available evidence and establish whether the allegations against them have any basis.
Police said the woman underwent a medical examination at Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital in Bogura following the complaint. The medical report is expected to form part of the evidence considered during the investigation.
The arrest of Abu Bakkar marks the first reported enforcement action in connection with the case. Investigators are continuing to examine the allegations and the circumstances in which the incident allegedly occurred.
The case has also drawn attention to passenger safety on long-distance trains, particularly during night journeys. Railway services rely on designated staff and security personnel to maintain order and assist passengers, making any allegation of misconduct or criminal activity on board a matter requiring careful investigation.
Railway police said the identities and possible involvement of the two police personnel named in the case are being investigated. The authorities have yet to make a final determination regarding the allegations, and further legal action will depend on the evidence gathered during the investigation.
