A Dhaka court on Tuesday fixed October 27 for delivering its judgment in a case over the rape of two girls in a hotel in the capital’s Banani area in 2017. Acting Judge of Dhaka Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal-7 Abdullah Al Mamun fixed the date. Earlier on October 3, a Dhaka court set October 12 to deliver its verdict in the case.  Dhaka Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal-7 Judge Begum Kamrunnahar was scheduled to hear the case today  but the court deferred the verdict as she was on leave due to sickness . Read: Banani double rape: 5 accused sent to jail, verdict on October 12 On June 7, 2017, investigation officer of the case Inspector Ismot Ara submitted a charge sheet to the court against five accused. On June 19, the tribunal accepted the charge sheet. Rape charges were pressed against accused Safat Ahmed, son of Apan Jewellers co-owner Dildar Ahmed Selim, and Nayeem Ashraf while charges for assisting in rape pressed against Safat’s friend Sadman Sakif, Shafat's driver Billal Hossain and bodyguard Rahmat Ali. On May 6, 2017, one of the two abused girls filed the case with Banani Police Station against five persons including Shafat and Shadman Sakif. According to the case statement, Safat and Nayeem raped the plaintiff and her friend on March 28 at The Raintree Dhaka in the capital's Banani area while the three others assisted them. Read: Banani double rape case: Court cancels Shafat’s bail The victims were acquainted with Safat through Sadman two weeks before the incident and they were tricked in attending a grand program at the hotel on that day, said the statement.

Police arrested three youths for raping a woman in Rangabali upazila in Patuakhali on Thursday. The arrestees were identified as her brother-in-law Solaiman, 22, Bappy, 24,and Arif Khan, 23. Solaiman and Bappy were arrested from Galachipa upazila by Charshiba camp police in the early hours of Thursday while Arif was arrested from Vhar Nazir village by Rangabali station police. Also read: 2 death-row convicts to be executed for killing two women after rape On Wednesday night, the victim's father filed a case with the Rangabali police station against seven people including Arif Khan, as the main accused. According to the complaint, on Wednesday 10 am the victim left her in-laws' house at Charbishwash village for her father’s home in Char Beshtani village in Rangabali upazila with her brother-in-law Solaiman. Also read: Man gets 72-year sentence for rape and kidnap of minor in Joypurhat At the launch terminal in Char Agasti, Solaiman took her and boarded Arif Khan’s trawler where they later raped her consecutively near the Shaper Khal area around noon. Officer-in-Charge of Rangabali police station Jaglul Hasan said the three accused were produced before court and effort is on to arrest the others.

A six-year old, speech impaired child was allegedly raped by a teenager on Monday at Radhanagar village of Jhikargacha upazila in Jashore. Police arrested Shohag, 16, the accused on Tuesday. The victim has been admitted in critical condition at Jessore General Hospital. Also read: Child hospitalized after 'rape attempt’ by 50-year old in Faridpur The victim's father said his daughter was playing with some other children near Radhanagar Bazar when Shohag, a tea stall owner, offered her sweets and lured her inside his shop, where he proceeded to rape her. As the girl returned home crying and bleeding, her father with help of the local chairman took her to hospital and filed a case in the police station. Also read: Child Rape in Shariatpur: 'Rapist' madrasa teacher let off with fine A Resident Medical officer (RMO) of Jessore General Hospital informed that samples have been collected from the victim's body for testing. It can be ensured after receiving the report whether the victim was raped or not, he said. Also read: Housewife gangraped in Rajshahi Officer-in-Charge of Jhikargacha police station, Abdur Rajjak, said a case has been filed in this connection. The accused was arrested from his house and sent to Jessore court, said the OC.

Police on Friday arrested a man for allegedly raping a 7-year-old girl in Char Sitaijhar village of Mughalbasa union in Kurigram Sadar upazila. The arrestee was identified as Alam Mia, 40, son of late Omar Ali of the village, an employee of a tea stall. Officer-in-charge of Sadar Police Station Shahriar Khan said tea stall worker Alam was accused of raping the girl when she was alone on May 3. The girl did not tell anyone about the incident for three days. Later, due to severe pain and bleeding, she told her mother about the incident. The girl was later treated by a local doctor. Also read: Out to relieve herself, woman kidnapped & gang raped in Gaibandha In this connection, the mother of the minor girl filed a case with the Kurigram Sadar Police Station on Friday morning. On Friday noon, the Police arrested the accused Alam and he was sent to jail after being presented in court. Bangladesh's rape epidemic Sexual assaults on women continue unabated in Bangladesh, despite the government introducing the death penalty for rapes last year. Earlier last month, a police headquarters report said that 26,695 rape cases were filed across the country in the past five years. Also read: Rape epidemic: 2 held over gang-rape of Pabna woman Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) data shows that 1,018 children were raped last year alone, but only 683 police cases had been filed. Also, 116 survivors were six years old or below. Overall, 1,627 rape cases were reported last year and 53 of the women were killed by the perpetrators while 14 took their own lives, as per the data. However, ASK's data is just the tip of the iceberg, according to aid agencies, who report that most women are too afraid to report rape. In October 2020, the country was rocked by protests after a woman was allegedly attacked and raped in Noakhali. Also read: Police HQ: 26,695 rape cases filed in 5 yrs, with notable jump since 2019 In November last year, Bangladesh introduced capital punishment for rape, following days of protests against sexual violence against women in several cities across the country. But human rights organisations say the move will not solve the country's rape crisis, and the survivors of the heinous crime are often stigmatised in society.

Police Friday arrested two teenagers for "raping" a seven-year-old girl in Bagerhat's Chitalmari. Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Chitalmari Police Station Mir Shariful Haque said, "On Thursday, the duo approached the girl and lured her on the pretext of playing a game. The teenagers took the seven-year-old to a nearby sugarcane field where they 'sexually assaulted' her." Later, the victim's father rushed to the spot hearing her scream and caught the teenagers in the act. Next, he filed a case against them at night, the OC said. Also read: Rape epidemic: 2 held over gang-rape of Pabna woman The girl was taken to Bagerhat Sadar Hospital for a medical examination, he added. Bangladesh's rape epidemic Bangladesh is facing a "rape epidemic" despite recent government approval of the death penalty for the crime – not that evidence ever suggested it would have the desired effect. Earlier last month, a police headquarters report said 26,695 rape cases had been filed across the country in the last five years. Also read: Police HQ: 26,695 rape cases filed in 5 yrs, with notable jump since 2019 Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) data shows that 1,018 children were raped last year alone, but only 683 police cases were filed. Also, 116 victims were 6 years old or below. Overall, 1,627 rape cases were reported last year and 53 of the victims were killed by the perpetrators while 14 took their own lives, the data showed. However, ASK's data was likely just the tip of the iceberg, according to aid agencies, who report that most women are too afraid to report rape. Also read: Housewife ‘gang-raped’ in Patuakhali In October 2020, the country was rocked by protests after a woman was attacked and raped in Noakhali. In November last year, Bangladesh introduced the death penalty for rape, following days of protests against sexual violence against women in several cities across Bangladesh. But human rights organisations say the move will not solve the country's rape crisis, as victims of sexual assault are often stigmatised in society.

A female worker of readymade garments was allegedly gang raped in Mulaid area of Sripur in Gazipur early Tuesday. Officer-in-Charge of Sripur Police Station Golam Sarowar Jahan said the house owner of the victim ousted her from the house on Monday night raising different accusations. Taking advantage of the situation, one Mizan Fakir in the name of helping her provided her a room in his house, OC said. Also read: Rape epidemic: 2 held over gang-rape of Pabna woman Later, as the night progressed Mizan went to the victim’s room and violated her along with four others, the cop said. However, the victim managed to flee from that room and filed a case over the matter in the morning, he added. Police arrested one of the accused and are trying to catch the others, OC said. Also read: Housewife ‘gang-raped’ in Patuakhali Rape culture Rape incidents continue to take place even after the government amended the law making death penalty the highest punishment for the crime. Last month, a police headquarters report said 26,695 rape cases had been filed across the country in the last five years. Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) data show that 1,018 children were raped last year, but only 683 police cases were filed. Also, 116 victims were 6 years old or below. Also read: Police HQ: 26,695 rape cases filed in 5 yrs, with notable jump since 2019 Overall, 1,627 rape cases were reported last year and 53 of the victims were killed by the perpetrators while 14 took their own lives, the data showed. The original number is believed to be higher as most victims don’t report incidents of sexual assault fearing for their safety and social stigmatisation. Following days of protests against sexual violence against women across Bangladesh, the government introduced death penalty for rape in October last year. In November, the Parliament passed the necessary amendment.

A youth was arrested in Bagerhat for allegedly raping his 5th grader cousin. The arrestee was identified as Ujjol Khan, 26. On Sunday police arrested Ujjol conducting a drive in Sadar upazila’s Jatrapur area following a case filed by the victim’s father accusing Ujjol and his mother Farida Begum. Also read: Child Rape in Shariatpur: 'Rapist' madrasa teacher let off with fine Victim’s father in the case statement said on February 15, his sister Farida Begum took his daughter home for a stay over and didn’t let her come when they asked to let her. On March 10 when the victim's father went to Farida’s house she hid the victim and misbehaved with him. On March 29 with the help of locals he rescued the victim from Farida’s house. Also read: Teen held for child rape in Narayanganj The victim said from February 17 to March 29, Ujjol has raped the victim several times. When asked, Farida Begum threatened the victim's father to not talk about the incident. Bagerhat model police station’s Officer-in-Charge, KM Ajijul Islam, said Ujjol was arrested upon the case filed by victim’s father. Also read: Police HQ: 26,695 rape cases filed in 5 yrs, with notable jump since 2019 Ujjol will be handed over to court after questioning and efforts are going on to detain the other accused, said police.

An eight-year-old girl has been hospitalized following an alleged rape attempt by a 50-year old man in Boalmari upazila of Faridpur district. The critically ill child is currently undergoing treatment at Faridpur Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical College Hospital.  The child's mother lodged a written complaint with the Boalmari police station on Saturday. Also read: Child Rape in Shariatpur: 'Rapist' madrasa teacher let off with fine According to the complaint, the girl was having shower at a pond beside her house when Yunus Sheikh, 50, forcibly took her to a garden near Raipur cremation ground and tried to rape her after giving death threat. The girl was initially silent out of fear when she reached home.  But as the pain in her genitals increased during the night, she started crying and told her family about the incident. She was rushed to the emergency unit of Boalmari Upazila Health Complex. Also read: Teen held for child rape in Narayanganj Later, she was shifted to Faridpur Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical College Hospital on Friday night for better treatment as her condition deteriorated. The child's mother lodged a written complaint with the Boalmari police station the following afternoon. Kazi Ripon, a sub-inspector of Boalmari police station, said, "I have received a written complaint of rape bid on a child. Necessary legal action will be taken.” Also read: Police HQ: 26,695 rape cases filed in 5 yrs, with notable jump since 2019 Boalmari Upazila Health Complex emergency unit physician  Amir Hamza said signs of rape attempt was found on the child’s body.

A madrasa teacher, who allegedly raped an 8-year-old girl last month, has been let off the hook by a Kangaroo court after paying a fine of Tk 250,000 and receiving 10 slaps with a shoe at Zajira upazila of Shariatpur. According to sources, Amir Hamza,30, headmaster of Baitul Jannat Mohila Madrasa, raped the victim on March 13.   But after the incident became public on Thursday (April 15), locals held an arbitration instead of approaching police, underpinning a rape epidemic in the country. They fined the rapist Tk 3 lakh and 10 hits on the body with shoes. Later, the fine was revised to Tk 250,000. Also read: Rape epidemic: 2 held over gang-rape of Pabna woman The government amended the law last November to incorporate death penalty as the highest punishment for rape. Razzak Majhi, a resident of the area, said a so-called jury of 20-25 members delivered the verdict "after weighing every opinion". "All stakeholders are happy with the verdict," he claimed. Mintu Mondal, an inspector of Zajira Police Station, said no one informed them about the rape incident or the arbitration. Additional Superintendent of Police (Naria Circle) SM Mizanur Rahman said the law did not allow meting out punishment for rape through arbitration.  Also read: Housewife ‘gang-raped’ in Patuakhali He said they would take action after receiving a formal complaint. Rape epidemic continues in Bangladesh Bangladesh continues to see rape incidents even after raising the highest punishment. Rights groups blamed the lack of implementation of the law and a low conviction rate for the situation. Earlier last month, a police headquarters report said 26,695 rape cases had been filed across the country in the last five years. Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) data shows that 1,018 children were raped last year alone, but only 683 police cases were filed. Also, 116 victims were 6 years old or below. Overall, 1,627 rape cases were reported last year and 53 of the victims were killed by the perpetrators while 14 took their own lives. Also read: Police HQ: 26,695 rape cases filed in 5 yrs, with notable jump since 2019 ASK's data was likely just the tip of the iceberg, according to aid agencies, who report that most women are too afraid to report rape. The gang rape of a woman at Sylhet MC College hostel in September last year and the attack and rape of a woman in Noakhali the next month triggered massive countrywide protests. On October 13, the President promulgated an ordinance making death penalty the highest punishment for rape. The next month, the Parliament passed the amended law. Human rights organisations say strict implementation of the law and a high conviction rate will help bring down the crime. 

Police arrested a "mentally-challenged" youth Thursday for the "rape and assault" of a 100-year-old woman in Jashore Sadar upazila's Chanchra union. Rubayet Hossain, 20, sexually assaulted the women on Wednesday and was caught by the centenarian's family members. The victim's daughter-in-law said, "My mother-in-law was found bleeding severely in the afternoon. Rubayet was in the room at that time and his actions indicated that he violated her." My mother-in-law was rushed to Jashore Medical Hospital where she underwent surgery, she said. Dr Arif Ahmed, residential medical officer of the hospital, said: "Evidence has been collected to find out if the elderly woman was sexually assaulted. The details can be confirmed when we get the medical report." Also read: Housewife ‘gang-raped’ in Patuakhali Kotwali Police Station Inspector (Investigation) Sheikh Tasmim Alam said, "Chanchra police has detained Rubayet. However, he is mentally-challenged, it has been learned." "His legs were chained on Wednesday. However, the young man managed to unchain himself and went to the victim's house." Bangladesh's rape epidemic Bangladesh is facing a 'rape epidemic' despite recent the government's approval of the death penalty for the crime – not that evidence ever suggested it would have the desired effect. Earlier last month, a police headquarters report said 26,695 rape cases had been filed across the country in the last five years. But human rights organisations say the actual numbers are much higher as many cases are not even reported. And not all make news – only the most brutal or deeply disturbing ones get reported in the media. Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) data shows that 1,018 children were raped last year alone, but only 683 police cases were filed. Also, 116 victims were 6 years old or below. Also read: Police HQ: 26,695 rape cases filed in 5 yrs, with notable jump since 2019 Overall, 1,627 rape cases were reported last year and 53 of the victims were killed by the attackers while 14 took their own lives, the data showed. However, ASK's data was likely just the tip of the iceberg, according to aid agencies, who report that most women are too afraid to report rape. Rapes and sexual violence have been in the spotlight in Bangladesh since October 2020 when the country was rocked by protests after a woman was attacked and raped in Noakhali. In November last year, Bangladesh introduced the death penalty for rape, following days of protests against sexual violence against women in several cities across Bangladesh. But human rights organisations say the move will not solve the country's rape crisis, as victims of sexual assault are often stigmatised in society.