The incident reportedly took place on Friday night, 23 October, in the Shibu Market area of Fatullah. Police are investigating the allegations and working to identify those responsible.
Mahbub Alam, officer-in-charge (OC) of Fatullah Police Station, told the media that the child had left home on Friday night to look for a younger sister and had gone to the Chan Mari area.
While there, an unidentified man allegedly approached the child and promised to help locate the missing sibling. Trusting the offer of assistance, the child was taken away in an electric three-wheeler towards Shibu Market.
According to the allegations, the child was subsequently taken to an unidentified location, where several people allegedly committed the sexual assault before fleeing the scene.
The circumstances surrounding the incident are still being investigated. Police have not publicly identified any suspects or provided further details about the location where the alleged assault took place.
Child taken to hospital after alleged assault
According to the police, several unidentified individuals brought the injured child to Khanpur Hospital for medical attention. As no parent or guardian was present, the hospital’s medical staff informed the police about the case.
After receiving the information, officers from Fatullah Police Station became involved and took the child to Victoria Hospital. The child was later transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for more advanced treatment because of the seriousness of the injuries.
The identities of the people who initially brought the child to Khanpur Hospital have not been disclosed. It remains unclear whether they witnessed any part of the incident or became involved only after finding the child injured.
The police have said they are working to establish the identities of those allegedly involved and bring them to justice. However, at the time of reporting, the child’s family had not lodged a formal complaint with the police station.
Investigation under way
The case has drawn attention to the risks children may face when they become separated from family members or seek assistance from strangers. An offer to help locate a missing relative can make a child vulnerable, particularly when the person offering assistance takes them away from familiar surroundings.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to teach children how to seek help safely, including approaching trusted adults, recognised security personnel or police officers when they become lost. Children should also be encouraged to remain in public places and avoid accompanying unfamiliar people to unknown locations.
In cases involving alleged sexual violence against children, protecting the victim’s identity and privacy is essential. Access to appropriate medical care and psychological support can also play an important role in the child’s recovery.
The investigation in Fatullah remains ongoing. Further information is awaited regarding the identification of the alleged perpetrators, the circumstances of the assault and any formal complaint from the family. No arrests had been reported in the information available at the time of publication.
