A case has been filed in Purbadhala, Netrokona, over the alleged rape of an 80-year-old woman by a 65-year-old man. The woman’s son lodged the complaint with Purbadhala Police Station, and police are attempting to arrest the accused.
The woman has undergone a medical examination, according to police. The alleged incident took place at around 2 pm on 7 October in Ghagra Purba Para, within Ghagra Union of Purbadhala upazila. The accused is a resident of the same area.
According to the complaint, the man had allegedly been visiting the vicinity of the woman’s home for a prolonged period and making unwanted sexual advances towards her. On the day of the incident, the woman was reportedly resting alone inside her house when the accused allegedly entered the premises by a ruse and raped her.
The complaint further states that a neighbour arrived to visit the woman during the incident. Suspecting that something was wrong, the neighbour entered the room and allegedly found the man in a compromising situation with the elderly woman. The neighbour then began shouting, prompting the accused to flee the scene, according to the account given in the case.
The woman’s son said that attempts had initially been made to resolve the matter through discussions within the family and the local community. However, those efforts failed to produce a resolution. After consulting family members, he decided to approach the police and formally lodge a case.
Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun, officer-in-charge of Purbadhala Police Station, confirmed the case on Tuesday evening. He said the woman’s medical examination had been completed and that police operations to apprehend the accused were continuing.
The case remains under investigation, and the allegations have yet to be established through the judicial process. The filing of a complaint and the steps taken by police do not, by themselves, determine the accused’s guilt.
Given the woman’s age and the seriousness of the allegation, the investigation will be important in establishing the circumstances of the incident. Information from the complainant, the neighbour and other relevant evidence may help investigators assess the account set out in the complaint. The authorities have not provided further details about the investigation or reported an arrest.
The family has sought legal action after the alleged incident, while police continue their efforts to locate the accused. Any further developments will depend on the progress of the investigation and subsequent court proceedings.
