A woman was allegedly raped after her husband was beaten and injured in Charghat upazila of Rajshahi early Wednesday.

The incident took place near the Sardah Railway Station area of the upazila.

The couple, who earn their livelihood by selling popcorn on trains and at railway stations, also reportedly had their earnings stolen during the incident.

Family card promise used to lure woman, BNP leader accused of rape attempt

The victim's husband filed a case against a man named Ashraful Islam, 35, at Charghat Police Station on Wednesday afternoon. The accused is a resident of Jagirpara village under Haldagachhi in the upazila.

Victims said that they left home on Tuesday afternoon to sell popcorn on trains as usual. After working throughout the day at different stations, they got off the Dhaka-bound Dhaka Mail train at Sardah station around 1 am.

They later stopped at a nearby tea stall for food when the accused suddenly attacked them with a stick and a sharp weapon. The husband was beaten and seriously injured, and their sales money was snatched.

The husband said that, seeing the attacker armed with a knife, he fled the scene to save his life. The accused then allegedly dragged the woman to a nearby forest and raped her.

He further said that his wife screamed during the attack, but no one came forward initially. After about 45 minutes, locals rescued her.

Sardah Station Master Iqbal Kabir said the incident occurred near the station late at night, but railway authorities were not immediately aware. Police were later informed.

Charghat Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abdul Malek said a case has been filed and multiple police teams are working to arrest the accused.