Four young men have been accused of gang-raping a garment worker in Sreepur, Gazipur, after allegedly confining her husband in an adjoining room. The woman claimed that threats from the accused and surveillance around their home prevented the couple from leaving the house for two days. They eventually approached the police with the help of relatives.
The 20-year-old woman is originally from Sherpur and lives in a rented house in the Hanu Market area of Gazipur Union under Sreepur upazila. She works at an industrial facility belonging to the DBL Group. Her husband lives with her.
According to the woman, the couple had been renting a house owned by a man named Harun Ar Rashid for the past six months. Following a recent rise in thefts in the neighbourhood, they decided to move to another residence. On Monday, they paid the landlord three months’ rent in advance and began preparing to move their belongings.
The woman alleged that, while they were preparing to leave, two local youths identified as Faruk and Nayan arrived at their home and forcibly took her husband away. He returned later in the evening after being gone for some time.
At around 8.30pm, or shortly afterwards, Faruk and Nayan allegedly returned with two unidentified men and entered the couple’s home. The four men allegedly assaulted the woman’s husband and confined him in an adjoining room.
The woman claimed that Faruk demanded that she comply with their instructions, citing money he allegedly claimed her husband owed him. When she refused, Faruk, Nayan and another man allegedly tied her hands. She further alleged that the four men held a sharp knife to her throat, tied her legs and raped her in succession.
According to her account, she repeatedly pleaded with the men to stop, but they continued the assault.
The woman said nobody in the surrounding area came to her rescue during the incident. She also alleged that the accused remained near the house afterwards, making her afraid to approach the police immediately.
Fearing further violence, the couple remained inside their home for two days, she said. The alleged threats and the presence of the men around the property left them concerned for their safety and prevented them from going outside.
They eventually informed relatives, who visited the house and helped them approach the police.
The woman’s husband said he had been beaten and held in the adjoining room while the alleged assault was taking place. He was reportedly told that his wife had gone out to collect money. He claimed that the accused returned at different times to assault him.
He said he later realised that his wife had also been subjected to violence. When he attempted to leave the house to seek justice, the accused allegedly threatened to kill him. The couple subsequently went to the police station with assistance from relatives.
Mohammad Shahinur Alam, officer-in-charge of Sreepur Police Station, said he had instructed the station’s inspector (investigation) to take the necessary legal steps after learning about the incident.
Details regarding the filing of a formal case, the arrest of the accused and the progress of the investigation were not immediately available.
A thorough investigation will be necessary to establish the facts and determine responsibility. Ensuring the couple’s safety and providing the woman with appropriate medical and legal assistance are also important as the case proceeds.
