A horrific case of sexual violence and torture has shaken the Jhenaidah district in Bangladesh, where a 40-year-old Hindu widow was brutally assaulted, raped, and tied to a tree. The incident, which occurred on Saturday night, stemmed from a prolonged land dispute and alleged harassment by local men.
A Brutal Assault Following Years of Harassment
The victim's ordeal reportedly began around two-and-a-half years ago after she purchased a two-storey house and 300 decimals of land for 20 lakh taka from two brothers, Shahin and his sibling, in Nandipara under the Kaliganj municipal area. According to the official complaint, after the sale, Shahin began to make repeated indecent advances towards the woman. When she consistently rejected him, he allegedly started harassing her in various ways.
The situation escalated dramatically on Saturday night. The accused, Shahin, along with an accomplice, subjected the woman to brutal torture and rape. In a final act of humiliation, they tied her to a tree and cut her hair. The assault was so severe that the victim lost consciousness. She was later discovered by local residents in an injured state and rushed to Jhenaidah Sadar Hospital.
Medical Examination Reveals Torture, Police Launch Probe
Initially, at the hospital, the traumatized woman did not disclose the full extent of the crime. Dr. Mohammad Mustafizur Rahman, the superintendent at Jhenaidah General Hospital, stated that the medical examination later confirmed she had been subjected to severe torture.
Following the rescue and medical attention, the survivor bravely filed a formal complaint against Shahin and his accomplice at the Kaliganj police station. Acting swiftly on her complaint, the police have arrested both accused individuals in Kaliganj.
Police Promise Strict Legal Action
Jhenaidah Additional Superintendent of Police, Bilal Hossain, confirmed that the victim's statement has been recorded and a case registered. "We have called the victim to the police station and registered her complaint. After completing the investigation, the police will take strict legal action against those responsible," Hossain assured.
This shocking incident has highlighted the extreme vulnerabilities faced by women, particularly those from minority communities, in cases involving property disputes and social power imbalances. The local community and authorities are now awaiting the outcome of the police investigation and subsequent legal proceedings.
