Rural Doctor Arrested Over Alleged Sexual Abuse Attempt on Child

Police in Tangail’s Sakhipur have arrested a rural doctor, identified as Hasan, 29, over allegations that he attempted to sexually abuse a three-year-old child. The incident has also sparked allegations of an assault on members of the child’s family, while the accused was reportedly beaten by angry local residents before being handed over to police.

The incident took place in the Sakhipur municipal area at around 1pm on Saturday, 25 July. Later that night, the child’s mother filed a case at Sakhipur Police Station. Police said Hasan was arrested in connection with the case and that an investigation was under way to establish the facts surrounding the allegations.

According to local sources, the child was playing in the courtyard of the family home when Hasan, a neighbour known locally as a rural medical practitioner, allegedly called the child and took them to his house. The family has alleged that the accused then attempted to sexually abuse the child.

The child reportedly became physically unwell and complained of severe pain following the alleged incident. At one stage, the child told the mother what had happened. After learning of the allegation, the child’s mother and aunt went to inform members of Hasan’s family. A confrontation allegedly broke out during the exchange, with the child’s relatives claiming that they were assaulted by members of the accused’s family.

News of the incident quickly spread through the neighbourhood, triggering anger among local residents. At one point, several people reportedly detained Hasan and assaulted him. Police later arrived at the scene, brought the situation under control and rescued the accused from the crowd before taking him to the police station.

The child’s family has alleged that Hasan used his position as a familiar neighbour and local healthcare provider to gain the child’s trust and lure them into his home. Police, however, said the precise circumstances of the incident, including whether anyone else was involved, would be determined through the investigation.

Azharul Islam, officer-in-charge (investigation) of Sakhipur Police Station, said Hasan had been arrested based on a written complaint filed by the child’s mother. He said investigators were examining both the allegation of attempted sexual abuse of the child and the reported assault on the child’s relatives. Legal proceedings against the accused are continuing.

The case has drawn attention to the need for immediate protection and appropriate medical care for children who may have experienced sexual violence. In such cases, child-sensitive medical assessment, psychological support where necessary, and access to legal assistance can be crucial to protecting the victim and ensuring that the investigation is conducted properly.

The incident has also raised concerns about the dangers of taking the law into one’s own hands. While public anger may arise in cases involving allegations of violence against children, assaults on suspects can undermine due process and create further legal complications. Legal experts and rights advocates generally stress that allegations should be reported promptly to law-enforcement agencies, allowing investigators and the courts to determine responsibility through the established legal process.

Police said further details about the circumstances of the incident and the roles of those allegedly involved could emerge as the investigation progresses. The next stages of the legal process are now under way.