Gazipur, Dec 18 – Police on Friday arrested seven people for gang-rape of an expatriate’s wife in Gazipur’s Kapasia.
The arrestees are Ruman Bepari, Jobayer Bepari, Mostaridh Sardar, Sahabul Hossain Sakib, Masum Sheikh, Rakib Hossain and Mahfuzul.
However, the main accused, Sakhawat Hossain is still at large.
Kapasia Police Station Officer-in-Charge Alam Chand said the victim went to visit her parents’ house on Thursday.
Then one of her neighbours, Sakhawat, called the housewife over the phone asking her to meet in person.
“When the victim reached the spot, four people gang-raped her and others were their partners in crime,” Alam said.
“Next the victim fainted. And the accused demanded Tk50,000 from the victim’s mother over the phone.”
Later, the rape survivor’s mother filed a case with Kapasia Police Station in connection with the incident.
Law toughened but rape continues
The introduction of the death penalty for rape cases has failed to curb such incidents in Bangladesh.
On November 17, parliament passed the Women and Children Repression Prevention (Amendment) Bill 2020 with the death penalty as the highest punishment for rape.
The move came following days of protests about the country’s high level of sexual violence against women.
At least 1,000 rapes, including over 200 gang rapes, were reported in Bangladesh during January-September this year, according to Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK).
Forty-five of the victims were killed after rape, and 12 others took their own lives.
Three women and nine men were killed for protesting against sexual harassment, ASK said. – UNB
