The number of rape incidents increased alarmingly across the country, and women have no security whether during the day or night.
But what is painstakingly saddening is that the day when the rapist of a Dhaka University student confessed to his wrongdoing before a court, a series of six rape cases were reported from different corners of the country in a period of two days – highlighting the horrifying status of women’s safety in Bangladesh.
In Gazipur, an eighth-grader was reportedly gang-raped at a birthday party in Sreepur upazila on Tuesday evening.
According to the victim's mother, the victim's neighbour Urmi took her to one of her friend Sujan's house, and gave her a drink mixed with sedatives, making her unconscious. Three of Urmi's friends then raped her in turns.
The victim's mother filed a case on Wednesday with Sreepur police station accusing four, including Urmi, 18, Sharif, 18, Sujan, 19, and Sharif, 20, said Sreepur police station SI Nazmul Sakib.
Later yesterday, police arrested Urmi, for her involvement in the gruesome act.
In Jhenaidah, a woman filed a case on Tuesday against Kotchandpur Municipality Mayor Zahid Hossain for raping her on August 26.
According to the case statement, Kotchandpur Nursing Home Clinic owner Azad was romantically involved with the woman who started pressuring him to disclose their relationship to everyone.
When Azad sought Zahid's help, Zahid went to the clinic to settle the issue and raped the woman with the help of the clinic's nurse Ruma and maid Gulbanu.
Kotchandpur police station OC Mahbubul Alam said: "We are trying to arrest the accused."
In Sylhet, police arrested Shah Alam Ahmad Manik, 36, on Tuesday from Moglabazar area of the district for raping a girl.
According to the police, Manik brought the victim to a colony in the area promising marriage. In fact he held her captive, and raped her for three months.
Coincidentally, police recovered the victim from the house, and arrested Manik, said Moglabazar police station OC Akhter Hossain.
Following a court order, Manik was sent to jail, said the OC, adding that the victim was sent to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College for treatment.
In Rangpur, a college student was reportedly raped in Tilakpur village of Mithapukur upazila on Wednesday night.
According to the victim's family, her neighbour Zakir Hossain, 26, entered the victim's room when no one else was present at the house, and raped her.
The victim was taken to Rangpur Medical College Hospital in critical condition, said Dr Shyamoli.
Police did not take any steps, despite being informed about the incident, said the victim's family. However, Mithapukur police station OC Habibur Rahman said they did not receive any complaint.
In Narayanganj, police arrested a garment factory supervisor for raping one of his female colleagues yesterday.
Rupganj police station OC Mahmudul Hasan said: "The girl filed a case on Wednesday."
In Tangail, Nasir Uddin, 40, an assistant teacher of Kaharta High School, was suspended yesterday for sexually assaulting a ninth-grader in Sakhipur upazila.
The girl's uncle filed a case with Sakhipur police station in this connection on Wednesday night.
According to the case statement, the girl was raped when she went to Nasir's shop in Kaharta Ramkha Bazar. After hearing her screams, locals rescued the girl, while Nasir managed to flee the scene.
Sakhipur police station Sub-Inspector Azizul Islam confirmed it saying that they are trying to arrest the accused.
Our correspondents Md Raihanul Islam Akand, Gazipur; Nayan Khondoker, Jhenaidah; Mohammed Serajul Islam, Sylhet; Liakat Ali Badal, Rangpur; Shamima Rita, Narayanganj; and Abdullah Al Numan, Tangail contributed to this report.
