Hindu Widow Gang-Raped, Tied to Tree in Bangladesh
Assailants allegedly filmed the crime, cut her hair and circulated the video on social media in Jhenaidah’s Kaliganj.
- 40-year-old Hindu widow allegedly gang-raped in Kaliganj, Jhenaidah
- Victim tied to a tree, hair cut, assault video circulated online
- Two accused named in FIR; police promise strict action
- Incident comes amid rising attacks on minorities in Bangladesh
GG News Burea
Dhaka, 5th Jan: A 40-year-old Hindu widow has allegedly been gang-raped, tied to a tree, and had her hair cut by two men in Kaliganj, a sub-district of Jhenaidah in central Bangladesh, in a shocking incident that has once again raised concerns over the safety of religious minorities in the country.
According to her police complaint, the woman had purchased three decimals of land along with a two-storey house two-and-a-half years ago from one Shahin and his brother. She alleged that Shahin later began harassing her with indecent proposals, which she repeatedly rejected.
On Saturday evening, when two relatives were visiting her, Shahin and his associate Hasan allegedly stormed into her house and raped her. The accused then reportedly demanded Tk 50,000 from her. When she refused, they allegedly assaulted her relatives and forced them to flee.
As the woman screamed for help, the men allegedly tied her to a tree, cut off her hair, recorded the act and circulated the video on social media. She was also tortured and later lost consciousness. Local residents rescued her and admitted her to Jhenaidah Sadar Hospital.
Hospital superintendent Dr Md Mostafizur Rahman said the woman initially did not disclose the details of the assault. Medical examination later indicated that she had been subjected to abuse.
Following the incident, the survivor filed a complaint at Kaliganj Police Station naming Shahin and Hasan as the accused. Jhenaidah Additional Superintendent of Police Billal Hossain said police have recorded her statement and assured that the “highest possible legal action” will be taken after investigation.
The incident occurred on the same day when Khokon Chandra Das, a Hindu man, died after being attacked and set ablaze by a mob in Shariatpur district. In recent weeks, several violent incidents involving members of the Hindu community have been reported across Bangladesh.
On December 24, Hindu youth Amrit Mondal was allegedly lynched in Kalimohar Union, while on December 18, Dipu Chandra Das was lynched after false allegations of blasphemy, with his body reportedly hung from a tree and set on fire.
India has expressed concern over what it described as “unremitting hostility” against minorities in Bangladesh and said it is closely monitoring the situation. The Bangladesh government has maintained that it is committed to protecting minorities.
