Allegation of Gang Rape of Young Woman and Minor in Goalando, Three Arrested

In Goalando, Rajbari, a 20-year-old woman and a 15-year-old girl were allegedly gang-raped while visiting the area. The incident occurred on Tuesday night in Ujanchara Union, according to the case filed by the young woman’s father at Goalando Police Station on Friday. Seven individuals have been named as accused in the case.

Following the allegations, police arrested three suspects identified as Foysal Sheikh (22) from Bil Mamudpur village under Faridpur Kotwali Police Station, Rakib Molla (21) from Darafer Dangi village in East Ujanchara, Goalando Upazila, and Sajib Molla (24) from Gani Sheikh’s Para in Ujanchara. On Friday afternoon, the three were presented in court in connection with the rape case.

The young woman, a student giving her HSC exams this year at a government college in Faridpur, has an exam scheduled for Sunday. The minor is an eighth-grade student at a secondary school in the city. The two are related as aunt and niece. According to police and the victims’ family, Foysal used to harass the young woman during her college commutes. A few months ago, her father sought intervention from Foysal’s father, which reportedly angered Foysal further. Despite getting married elsewhere, Foysal continued to contact the young woman occasionally. He works at a furniture shop near Godhuli Park in Goalando. Based on the case details and police sources, on Tuesday afternoon, Foysal called the young woman and invited her to visit Godhuli Park. She arrived in the evening with her minor niece and a friend. Around dusk, four to five unidentified youths took the trio to a local house inside the park, where their two mobile phones and Tk 5,000 were snatched. Foysal, under the pretense of escorting them, deliberately delayed their departure. Around 9 PM, he led them to a dirt road in Riaz Uddinpara, Ujanchara, where, with his assistance, five to six unidentified individuals allegedly raped the young woman and the minor. They were threatened with death if they disclosed the incident. The victims later fled to a nearby house for shelter. On Friday, local resident Rayhan Molla told Prothom Alo that around 10:30 PM on Tuesday, the two girls, nearly unclothed and crying, sought refuge at his house. After learning about the incident, he informed the young woman’s father, who took them home around midnight. Two days after the incident, on Thursday around 8 PM, locals in the Abul’s Shop area of Ujanchara apprehended Rakib and Sabuj, two of the accused, with Foysal’s assistance. They were beaten and handed over to the police, who also arrested Foysal, who was attempting to flee. Goalando Ghat Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Rakibul Islam said the young woman’s father filed a rape case on Friday, naming seven individuals, including the three arrested. The suspects were sent to Rajbari court around 3 PM, and the victims were also sent to provide their statements. Their medical examinations are scheduled for Saturday.