Schoolgirl Attempts Suicide After Alleged Public Torture in Gopalganj

A 13-year-old schoolgirl is undergoing treatment at Gopalganj 250-bed General Hospital after allegedly attempting suicide by ingesting poison following an incident in which she and a young man were reportedly tied to a tree and subjected to physical and mental abuse on school premises in Kashiani upazila.

The incident, which allegedly took place on 28 July, has triggered widespread anger and concern in the area after a video showing the alleged humiliation and abuse was circulated on social media. The girl’s family claims that the public humiliation, fear of social stigma and the subsequent circulation of the video caused her severe psychological distress, eventually leading her to attempt suicide.

According to local sources and the video circulated online, the girl is an eighth-grade student at a higher secondary school in Kashiani. She is reportedly 13 years old. A young man was also allegedly brought to the school and tied to the same tree with her using a towel.

Local residents said allegations had emerged the previous day that the girl and the young man had been found in an objectionable situation. On 28 July, the two were allegedly brought to the school premises. The girl was reportedly called from outside the school, while the young man was brought from his home. They were then allegedly tied together to a devdar tree on the school grounds.

Several people, including teachers, students and local residents, were reportedly present at the time. The two were allegedly subjected to physical and verbal humiliation in front of those gathered. Some people recorded the incident on their mobile phones, and the footage was later shared on social media.

The video reportedly began circulating widely on Friday night, bringing the incident to broader public attention. The girl’s family has alleged that the spread of the footage intensified her distress and anxiety. They said she subsequently consumed poison in an apparent attempt to take her own life.

After ingesting the substance, the girl was initially taken to a local sub-health centre for treatment. As her physical condition deteriorated, doctors advised that she be transferred to Gopalganj 250-bed General Hospital. She is currently receiving treatment there.

The incident has also raised questions about the response of the school authorities. Local residents have alleged that despite the reported abuse taking place within a school compound, no effective action was taken by the authorities in the days immediately following the incident. The issue has caused dissatisfaction among students, parents and members of the local community.

Residents have questioned why the matter was not handled through lawful and appropriate administrative procedures if there were allegations against the girl or the young man. They argue that accusations, regardless of their nature, do not justify public humiliation, physical abuse or the taking of punitive measures outside the law.

Several individuals, including Nayan Barai, Joy Shikdar and Mission Roy, have been accused of involvement in the incident. However, Nayan Barai has denied the allegations. He said that after the two were allegedly found in an objectionable situation, some local youths were taking them past his house. According to him, he took them to the school and handed them over to their guardians. He denied having any knowledge of the pair being tied to a tree or subjected to abuse.

The role of the school authorities has also come under scrutiny. Headteacher Indrajit Sarker said he was not present at the school on the day of the incident and learned about it later. He said the chairman of the school’s governing body was also in Dhaka at the time. The headteacher said the matter would be discussed with the chairman after his return and that necessary steps would then be considered.

Kashiani police station officer-in-charge Mohammad Mahfuzur Rahman said no formal complaint had yet been lodged with the police. He said that if a complaint was received, the allegations would be investigated and action would be taken in accordance with the law.

The incident has renewed concerns about the safety and dignity of students, particularly minors, and the need for schools and local authorities to respond appropriately when allegations of misconduct arise. A complaint against any individual should be investigated through established legal and administrative procedures rather than dealt with through public humiliation or violence.

The case also highlights the potential consequences of recording and circulating videos of vulnerable individuals without regard for their privacy or wellbeing. For an underage student, the exposure of such footage can carry serious emotional and social consequences, particularly in a close-knit community.

The authorities are now expected to determine what happened at the school, who was involved and whether any laws were violated. If the allegations are substantiated, local residents are awaiting appropriate legal action against those responsible. At the same time, the girl’s condition and recovery remain a major concern for her family and the wider community.