Court Orders Case Against Three Over Alleged Assault in Bogura

A woman in Bogura has lodged a formal complaint against three individuals, alleging that she was subjected to repeated sexual assault under the false promise of marriage. The victim filed the case on Tuesday at the First Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal in Bogura.

Following a recording of the plaintiff’s statement, Judge Anwarul Islam directed the Officer-in-Charge of the Sonatala Police Station to formally register the case for investigation.

Nahid Parvez Joni, the legal counsel representing the victim, confirmed the judicial order on Wednesday afternoon.

The accused named in the case statement are Sadek Bepari (25), son of Sajjad Bepari from Satbeki village in Sonatala Upazila; Rhatu Mia (23), son of Abdur Razzak from the same village; and Hiru Mia (30), son of Khorshed Mia from Hasraj village in the same upazila.

According to the details outlined in the complaint, the woman was married roughly ten years ago and has two children. Her husband passed away from heart failure on 13 May 2023. Since then, she had been residing at her in-laws’ home in Bogura Sadar with her children.

During visits to her sister’s residence in Sonatala, the primary accused, Sadek Bepari, began making romantic advances. Though she initially rejected his overtures, Sadek maintained regular contact through phone calls and messaging applications. He eventually gained her trust by promising marriage, after which he allegedly subjected her to sexual assault on multiple occasions against her will at various locations.

The situation escalated on 16 July when Sadek contacted the victim, instructing her to meet him at Charpara Bus Stand in Sonatala under the pretext of arranging their marriage that day. Upon her arrival, Sadek, accompanied by Rhatu Mia and Hiru Mia, took her on an auto-rickshaw ride across various parts of the upazila.

Later that evening, she was taken to a relative’s residence under the guise of bringing a marriage registrar (Kazi). As late night approached without the arrival of the registrar, Rhatu and Hiru left the premises. Sadek then allegedly threatened the victim with a sharp weapon and assaulted her, causing her health to deteriorate rapidly.

When her cries alerted local residents, the other accused returned to the scene to assist Sadek in escaping. The victim was subsequently taken to the Sonatala Upazila Health Complex for medical treatment. Because the incident involved a criminal offense, hospital personnel advised her to report to the Sonatala Police Station.

The victim stated that local police initially refused to register her complaint when she approached the station, leaving her no alternative but to seek legal redress directly through the court system.

Confirming the status of the proceedings, the Officer-in-Charge of Sonatala Police Station, Kabir Hossain, stated on Wednesday afternoon that he had not yet received the written court order. He assured that as soon as the official paperwork arrives, the station will formally record the case and initiate legal proceedings against the suspects.