Police in the Gafargaon Upazila of Mymensingh have apprehended a 14-year-old boy in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a five-year-old girl. The suspect, a ninth-grade student at a local secondary school, was taken into custody from his residence on Saturday night. Following a court appearance on Sunday, he was transferred to a juvenile correctional facility.
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Details of the Incident
According to the First Information Report (FIR) and police documentation, the incident occurred on the afternoon of 25 April. The accused allegedly lured the young victim to his home under the pretext of watching television, where the assault took place.
In the days following the event, the child’s physical condition deteriorated, necessitating medical intervention. On 27 April, she was admitted to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital (MMCH). She remained under professional care for two days and was eventually discharged on 29 April after her condition stabilised.
Attempts at Informal Mediation
Upon the victim’s return home from the hospital, the family reportedly faced social pressure to resolve the matter outside of the legal system. Local influential figures allegedly offered to settle the dispute through a Salish (an informal community mediation session) and advised the family against filing a formal police complaint.
However, the details of the assault began to circulate on social media platforms, specifically Facebook, sparking public outcry. Consequently, on Thursday night, the victim’s father proceeded to Pagla Police Station to initiate legal proceedings, naming the 14-year-old student as the sole accused.
Police Operation and Arrest
Following the filing of the case, the suspect fled the area to evade arrest. Abdullah Al Mamun, the Additional Superintendent of Police (Administration) in Mymensingh, confirmed that the teenager had initially sought refuge in Chittagong.
The official stated that rigorous police surveillance and proactive measures forced the suspect to return to his locality. Acting on specific intelligence, officers conducted a raid on Saturday night and successfully apprehended him. On Sunday, he was presented before the court, which ordered his relocation to a juvenile detention and correction centre.
Incident Timeline and Key Information
The following table outlines the chronological sequence of events as documented by law enforcement:
| Date | Event Description |
| 25 April | The alleged assault occurs after the victim is lured to the suspect’s house. |
| 27 April | The victim is admitted to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital due to illness. |
| 29 April | The child is discharged from the hospital after receiving treatment. |
| 30 April – 01 May | Local attempts are made to settle the matter via informal Salish mediation. |
| 02 May (Thursday) | A formal case is registered by the victim’s father at Pagla Police Station. |
| 04 May (Saturday) | Police arrest the 14-year-old suspect at his residence following his return from Chittagong. |
| 05 May (Sunday) | The suspect is produced in court and sent to a juvenile correctional facility. |
Legal and Medical Context
Under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act of Bangladesh, sexual offences against minors are non-bailable and carry severe penalties. Furthermore, the Children Act 2013 mandates that accused individuals under the age of 18 must be dealt with through the juvenile justice system, which prioritises rehabilitation in correctional centres rather than standard adult prisons.
Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, where the victim was treated, is the primary tertiary healthcare provider for the region and maintains a dedicated One-Stop Crisis Centre (OCC) for victims of violence. The police have indicated that the investigation is ongoing to ensure all legal protocols are met and that justice is administered according to the statutory requirements for juvenile offenders.