A 35-year-old man has been arrested in Manikganj’s Harirampur upazila after being accused of sexually harassing and indecently assaulting an 11-year-old girl in the Gala Union area.
The accused, identified as Raju, is the son of Md Fazr Ali of Sonakanda village in Gala Union. Police arrested him on Sunday, 6 September, following a complaint lodged by the child’s grandmother.
According to police, the complaint alleges that the girl was subjected to inappropriate behaviour and sexual harassment. The case was subsequently filed under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act at Harirampur Police Station.
The incident reportedly took place in Jhitka Sonakanda village. As the complainant is a minor, police and other authorities have not disclosed information that could reveal her identity.
Harirampur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Afzal Hossain said the child’s grandmother had lodged a complaint alleging that the girl had been harassed and sexually assaulted. Following the complaint, a case was registered under the relevant provisions of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, and the accused was arrested on the same day.
The police officer said Raju was produced before a court at around noon on Monday, 7 September, as part of the legal process.
Cases involving alleged sexual harassment or abuse of children are treated as particularly serious because of the vulnerability of minors. Investigators generally have to establish the circumstances surrounding an alleged incident while ensuring that the child’s privacy and safety are protected throughout the legal process.
The case will now proceed through the investigation and judicial process. Police are expected to examine the allegations contained in the complaint and gather relevant evidence before taking further action in accordance with the law.
The arrest followed a formal complaint from the child’s family, but an arrest itself does not establish guilt. The allegations against the accused will have to be tested through the investigation and court proceedings, where the evidence and statements presented by the relevant parties will be assessed.
The incident has also drawn attention to the need for vigilance around children’s safety in local communities. Families and community members have an important role in ensuring that children can report inappropriate behaviour and receive prompt support when allegations of abuse arise.
Police have not provided further details about the investigation beyond confirming the case, arrest and court submission. Further developments will depend on the findings of the ongoing legal proceedings.
