Authorities have arrested Saiful Islam, a convict in a gang rape case filed in Kamrangirchar, after 16 years on the run. He was detained on Sunday afternoon from a residence in Gulshan-1 by Rapid Action Battalion-3.
According to officials, Saiful Islam is the son of Sikandar from the Long Shibar Dighi Pahar area in Naria upazila of Shariatpur district. He was an accused in a case filed under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act at Kamrangirchar Police Station in 2009.
Table of Contents
Incident Background
As stated in the case record, on 26 September 2009, a 14-year-old girl went to the Ashrafabad boat terminal area of Kamrangirchar with a friend. After her companion left, Saiful Islam and his associates allegedly threatened her with death and forcibly took her onto a boat.
The accused then travelled to the middle of the Buriganga River, where they reportedly pushed the boatman into the river and committed the offence. Following the incident, the victim was confined in a house. She was later rescued by her family and admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for treatment. After medical care, she filed a case at Kamrangirchar Police Station.
Legal Proceedings and Verdict
After prolonged judicial proceedings, the case concluded on 22 February when the Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal-4 delivered its judgment. The court sentenced four accused, including Saiful Islam, to life imprisonment. Each convict was also fined BDT 100,000, with an additional one-year rigorous imprisonment in default of payment.
Arrest Details
RAB officials stated that Saiful Islam had been absconding since the verdict was announced. Acting on intelligence information, RAB-3 conducted an operation and arrested him from Gulshan-1. He has since been handed over for legal proceedings.
Timeline of Key Events
| Date / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 26 September 2009 | Incident involving a 14-year-old girl in Kamrangirchar |
| Post-incident 2009 | Victim rescued and admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital |
| 2009 | Case filed at Kamrangirchar Police Station |
| 22 February (recent) | Tribunal-4 sentenced four accused to life imprisonment |
| Sunday (recent) | Saiful Islam arrested in Gulshan-1 by RAB-3 after 16 years in hiding |
The case remains one of several long-running criminal proceedings concluded through judicial verdicts and subsequent enforcement actions by law enforcement authorities.