22-year-old 'gang-raped' in Ctg; 2 held

A 22-year-old boutique house worker was allegedly gang-raped by four culprits at her boyfriend's house in the city's Bowbazar area under Halishahar Police Station.

According to police, the criminals confined her 23-year-old boyfriend in another room and raped her in the kitchen.

The incident of March 16 came to light recently after the victim's brother had filed a case accusing five youths with Halishahar police. The police have so far arrested two of the accused.

The arrestees are Md Sohag, 23, and Osman Uddin, 25, while accused Md Hasan, 22, Md Fahim, 22, and Md Suman, 23, are on the run.

Assistant Commissioner Ashikur Rahman of Chattogram Metropolitan Police's Double Mooring Zone said Sohag is the mastermind of the gang-rape.

Police are conducting drives to arrest the fugitives, he added.

According to the case statement, the girl got acquainted with the youth over phone three to four months ago. They met on several occasions and on March 16, the girl went to a restaurant with the youth on PC Road, from where she went to his house around 7:30pm.

At one stage, the five accused forcibly entered the house, caught the youth and asked him about the victim's identity.

AC Ashikur Rahman said the gang stayed at the house for about one hour and left the scene around 8:45pm after issuing a threat that nobody should learn about the incident.

After learning the matter, the victim's family members went to the police, who started an investigation into the incident, he added.

Inspector Badrul Kabir, also the investigation officer, told The Daily Star that the two arrestees have confessed to their crime during primary interrogation. Sohag planned the incident and took the other accused to the house, he added.

A medical test of the victim has been done at Chittagong Medical College Hospital, while her clothes of that day have been sent to DNA forensic lab, said the IO, adding that they have yet to receive the medical test report.

Inspector Badrul further said the accused are local drug addicts, who are involved in mugging and other criminal activities.

“Sohag came to Chattogram from abroad earlier and Osman is an accused in a narcotics case filed with Halishahar police,” he added.

The victim's brother told The Daily Star, “My sister is still in a trauma and has been feeling insecure since the incident.

“We demand exemplary punishment of the culprits so that no one dares to commit such heinous acts,” the plaintiff said.

Earlier on December 13 last year, four women, including three expatriates' wives and their sister-in-law, were raped by four men during robbery in Karnaphuli area.