A mentally challenged schoolgirl was raped in her room in absence of family members at Haribhanga village under Lalmonirhat sadar upazila on Thursday afternoon.
The victim was admitted to Lalmonirhat Sadar Hospital in critical condition.
Police said when the girl was alone at her residence, the rapist, who is a newspaper hawker, entered the house to sell paper in the afternoon.
Sensing nobody’s presence in the house, Rafiqul Islam, 35, residence in the North Bengal Dalala Tari area in the town, raped the girl, a student of class IV at a local school for children with disability.
Hearing her groaning, neighbouring people even family members of the victim rushed to the spot and caught the culprit red-handed.
On receiving information, police rushed to the spot and arrested Rafiqul.
The acting residential medical officer of Lalmonirhat Sadar Hospital Dr Mrinal Kanti said the victim was out of danger.
A case was lodged with Lalmonirhat sadar police station at night, police said.
