A CNG auto-rickshaw driver has been arrested in connection with the alleged abduction and gang rape of a woman in Sylhet after she boarded his vehicle believing she would be taken to her destination.

Saidur Rahman, 30, was arrested from the Dholairpar area of Jatrabari in Dhaka on Monday afternoon following information about his whereabouts. He is the son of Hasib Ali of Hayatpurgাঁও area in Bishwanath upazila of Sylhet.

According to the investigating authorities, the incident took place on 14 July. The woman, a resident of West Chawkidekhi in Sylhet Sadar, reportedly boarded a CNG auto-rickshaw from the Chandipul area at around 8pm to travel towards Chhatak. Saidur Rahman was allegedly driving the vehicle at the time.

The authorities said the journey took an unexpected turn when the driver stopped at a market and purchased some goods. He later allegedly told the woman that he needed to take the goods to his home before continuing the journey. On that pretext, he reportedly diverted the vehicle from the intended route and took her to a secluded house in the Alamnagar area of Alankari Union in Bishwanath upazila.

By around 9.30pm, several of Saidur’s alleged associates were already at the location, according to the case information. They reportedly came out of the house and forcibly took the woman inside a room, where she was allegedly raped by several men.

After the alleged assault, the group reportedly took the woman’s mobile phone, national identity card, cash and handbag before leaving her behind and fleeing the area.

The woman subsequently filed a case at Sarail Police Station in Brahmanbaria, accusing those involved of gang rape and robbery. Following the filing of the case, investigators began efforts to identify and apprehend the accused.

Investigator