A 36-year-old e-rickshaw driver has been arrested in Mymensingh’s Nandail for allegedly attempting to rape a 16-year-old female footballer. A court subsequently ordered him to be sent to jail.

The accused has been identified as Mahmudul Hasan, a resident of Madarinagar village in Sherpur Union of Nandail upazila. Police said he was sent to jail on Monday afternoon following the court’s order.

According to police and the complaint filed in the case, the incident allegedly took place on the night of 1 September. The teenage footballer was returning home by e-rickshaw after completing football practice at a school ground.

The journey reportedly took a disturbing turn when the vehicle reached the area near Durbakanda Bridge in Sherpur Union. According to the allegations, Hasan stopped the e-rickshaw at the location and attempted to rape the girl.

The teenager resisted, leading to a struggle between her and the driver. She also began shouting for help. At one stage, Hasan allegedly threatened and intimidated her before leaving the scene.

The girl later informed her family members about what had happened.

Several days after the alleged incident, the teenager reportedly spotted Hasan in Nandail upazila town on Sunday night. She identified him and, with assistance from fellow footballers, detained him before handing him over to the police.

Police said the girl’s elder brother filed a case at Nandail Model Police Station that same night. Hasan was subsequently shown arrested in connection with the case.

He was produced before a court the following day, when the court ordered that he be sent to jail.

The incident has raised concerns locally about the safety of teenage and female athletes travelling home after evening training sessions. Young players who attend practice outside school or community grounds may have to travel after dark, making safe transport and adequate supervision an important consideration for families and sports organisers.

The case also highlights the need for athletes, particularly minors, to have safe arrangements for travelling to and from training. However, the circumstances surrounding this particular incident remain subject to police investigation.

Police have arrested Hasan on the basis of the allegations made in the case. The allegations have not yet been established in court, and their legal validity will ultimately be determined through the judicial process.