Amid ongoing student protests against a surge in sexual violence across the country, a disturbing case of gang rape has been reported in South Keraniganj, Dhaka. The victim, a 20-year-old woman who is four months pregnant, was allegedly gang-raped, and police have arrested two suspects: Ashraful Islam Siam (20) and Jeet Sarkar (19).
On Sunday (March 9) at 11 am, the woman was admitted to the One-Stop Crisis Center at Dhaka Medical College Hospital for a medical examination.
According to reports, the assault took place on Saturday night in an abandoned house in the Pashgaon Rishipara Nayabari area of South Keraniganj. The victim was allegedly lured there under the false promise of food and shelter.
Two suspects, identified as Md Ashraful and Deep Sarkar, have been arrested. Both are auto-rickshaw drivers.
South Keraniganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mazharul Islam stated that the woman had recently arrived in Dhaka after a dispute with her husband and was searching for work. She had taken shelter at a local shrine. On Saturday night, she went to Keraniganj, where three auto-rickshaw drivers offered her food and accommodation. Instead, they took her to an abandoned house and gang-raped her, according to the complaint.
A case has been filed, and police have identified three suspects. Two have been arrested, while efforts are underway to capture the third. The victim has been sent for a medical examination at the One-Stop Service Center (OCC) at Dhaka Medical College.
