Two Men Arrested in Shariatpur Sadar Upazila for Alleged Rape of Bangladeshi Woman
This morning, authorities apprehended two individuals in Shariatpur Sadar upazila following a report filed by a woman who claimed to have been raped. The victim, the wife of a Bangladeshi residing in Italy, reported the incident to Palang Model Police Station the day after the alleged attack, which occurred in the early hours of the previous day, as confirmed by Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Helal Uddin.
According to the victim’s account in the case statement, she was assaulted while outside her residence before dawn on the day of the incident. The accused, identified as Iqbal Sikder, 35, and Afsar Bepari, 40, both residents of the Bera Chikondi area engaged in farming, have refuted the accusations, contending that the case was motivated by animosity stemming from a financial disagreement.
OC Helal Uddin verified the arrests, stating, “The victim lodged a complaint implicating Iqbal and Afsar in the rape that occurred early Wednesday. Following the report, we apprehended them in Bera Chikondi this morning and presented them in court. The victim has undergone a medical examination.”
The victim recounted to The Daily Star, “My husband resides in Italy. Iqbal had been making inappropriate advances towards me for some time. When I rejected him, he and his associate Afsar assaulted me early Wednesday.”
“I have pressed charges against them. I seek justice from the authorities,” she expressed.
Meanwhile, during their detention at the police station, Iqbal Sikder, one of the accused, informed journalists, “We did not commit the crime. She borrowed Tk 60,000 from me two months ago for a land purchase. Possibly, she fabricated the allegations after I requested the repayment, to ensnare us.”
Dr. Sushmita, a medical officer at Shariatpur Sadar Hospital, mentioned, “The medical evaluation will determine if rape occurred. Nevertheless, we observed indications of physical assault on her person.”