Attempted Rape of a Child Allegedly Settled for 3 Lakh Taka in a Local Arbitration

In Subarnachar Upazila, Noakhali, a serious allegation has surfaced against a local influential person accused of attempting to rape a 9-year-old madrasa student. Instead of filing a complaint with the police, the matter was reportedly settled through a local arbitration led by a prominent BNP leader and his associates. The settlement allegedly involved 10 cane strokes, physical assault, and a payment of 3 lakh taka.

The arbitration took place on Tuesday (July 15) afternoon at Khaserhat Bazar in Charbata Union. The incident has sparked widespread outrage in the area, with many expressing their anger on social media. The victim is a 4th-grade student at Khurshidia Nurani Islamia Madrasa, and her father is currently abroad. The accused, Helal Uddin, is a resident of the same area. Local residents allege that Helal Uddin approached the victim while she was alone, offering her 20 taka before attempting to rape her. The girl screamed and returned home, informing her mother about the incident. When the victim’s family sought to pursue legal action, Mohammad Abdur Rahman Khokon, a candidate for general secretary of Khaserhat Bazar and former vice-president of the union BNP, advised against involving the police. Subsequently, a local arbitration meeting was held, where the decision was made to settle the matter with 10 cane strokes, physical assault, and a payment of 3 lakh taka. A BNP leader present at the arbitration, speaking anonymously stated that Abdur Rahman Khokon, a prominent businessman in the bazaar, frequently conducts such arbitrations and benefits from both parties. The arbitration panel included panel chairman Mohammad Golam Mawla, a BNP leader, the upazila amir of Jamaat-e-Islami, a local imam, and a madrasa teacher. Since then, the community has remained silent, with many hesitant to speak out. Helal Uddin, the accused, told that he was falsely accused and socially humiliated. Claiming to be mentally unwell and seeking treatment outside Noakhali, he accused Khokon of conducting the arbitration without his consent, asserting that such actions were unauthorized. Helal Uddin’s wife, Jobayda Begum, that her husband is admitted to CMH Hospital and was falsely implicated in the incident. She claimed he was sleeping after lunch when Khokon summoned him, and she sent him despite his condition. She added that her husband sustained severe injuries and bruises from the assault, even vomiting during the incident. She questioned why he was physically attacked instead of being reported to the community if he had committed a crime. However, Mohammad Abdur Rahman Khokon, the candidate for general secretary of Khaserhat Bazar and former union BNP vice-president, denied the occurrence of any such arbitration or incident in the area. Panel chairman Mohammad Golam Mawla confirmed the arbitration, stating that the 20-taka note used to lure the child was presented during the meeting. A consensus was reached to impose a fine of 3 lakh taka and 10 cane strokes. Maulana Jamal Uddin, the amir of Subarnachar Upazila Jamaat-e-Islami, admitted to being present at the arbitration. He told that he was asked to sit in the meeting by Khokon while heading to Asr prayers but claimed to have limited knowledge of the proceedings.

Charjabbar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Shahin Mia told that no complaint has been received from the victim’s family. He assured that legal action would be taken if a complaint is filed.