Tomen Tripura, a caretaker at the new Pranab Math Monastery in Uttar Kalagachhia village in the Kendua union of Madaripur Sadar upazila, has been accused of raping a teenage girl.
Family members of the survivor said she became pregnant in the rape. The girl's mother filed a case with the Madaripur Sadar police station on Friday night.
The survivor underwent a medical examination at Sadar Hospital on Saturday.
According to local, family and case sources, Tomen Tripura is from Khagrachari district. He was working as a caretaker for Montu Maharaj, the person in charge of the new Pranab Math monastery in the village.
Tomen lived in a tin house next to the monastery for convenience. As his cook had taken leave, he approached the girl’s mother to cook for him. Following a discussion, the girl’s mother sent the girl to cook for Tomen instead.
On February 5, when the girl went to the monastery to cook, Tomen Tripura forcibly took the girl to his room and raped her. Tripura threatened to kill the teenager and her family if she told anyone about the incident.
Despite the threat, the teenager informed her family about what had happened. Tomen fled to Tripura after the incident was reported in the area.
The mother of the victim said: “My husband has mental health problems and we are poor people, so I did not dare to sue at first. I informed Montu Maharaj about this incident, as he is in charge of the new Pranab Math monastery.
“Later, I informed UP member Amal Bhakta. They promised justice through arbitration but to no avail. As they were influential, we filed a case with the Madaripur Sadar police station on Friday night when we didn’t receive support. Since filing the case, influential people in our area have been intimidating us in many ways. I don't know if I will get justice,” she added.
“After the incident, my daughter has become pregnant. I demand the immediate arrest and punishment of Tomen Tripura,” she said.
Nadeem Vaidya, a devotee of the new Pranab Math monastery, said, "I have heard about the incident. I do not know the truth. The accused Tomen has fled to Tripura. Police are trying to arrest him. If he is found, the real facts will be known.”
In regard to the incident, Additional Acting Deputy Director of Madaripur Women's Affairs Department Mahmuda Akhter Kana said: "I have heard about the incident. The incident is very sad. We are next to that girl. She will receive the necessary assistance.”
Mohammad Nurul Islam, RMO at the Madaripur Sadar Hospital, said a teenager came to the hospital on Saturday morning and underwent medical examinations.
Madaripur Sadar police station Officer-in-Charge Kamrul Islam Mia said a case has been filed over the incident and attempts to arrest the accused are underway.
