Minor girl assaulted over theft allegations in Rangpur

A 12-year-old girl was severely assaulted by her employer over allegations of theft in Rangpur.

The incident came to light after the victim’s mother visited her daughter’s workplace in the Adarshpara area of Rangpur city on Saturday. 

However, when contacted on Tuesday, Rangpur Kotwali police station OC Rajibuzzaman said: “We are unaware of the incident but will take necessary steps after getting in touch with the family of the victim."

Speaking to Dhaka Tribune, the mother of the 12-year-old girl, who worked as a domestic help, said that they were thrown out from Rangpur Medical College Hospital on Monday afternoon when she sought her daughter's treatment there.

"My daughter had been working in the house of dentist Kanta Begum and her husband Rezaul Bari in the Adarshpara area of Rangpur city for the past two years.

"On Saturday, when I went to Kanta Begum's house, she told me that my daughter had stolen money and doesn't want to keep her for work anymore.”

"My daughter was physically assaulted in Kanta's house and her genitalia was burned with hot iron tools. She fell very sick after we brought her back home to Kishorganj (a upazila in Nilphamari).

"When locals got to know what happened to my daughter, they informed the matter to Kishorganj police station, who then admitted her to Kishorganj Upazila Health Complex for treatment,” she added.

Meanwhile, Mofizul Haque, OC of Kishorganj police station said: “The incident took place in Rangpur. We have recorded a general diary (GD) in connection with the incident.”

Dr Sabbir Hossain Sarker, a doctor at the emergency ward of Kishorganj Upazila Health Complex said: "The girl has sustained severe injuries on different parts of her body. 

“Moreover, her genitalia has been critically injured. We had to refer her to Rangpur Medical College Hospital for better treatment."

When asked about the assault, the accused Kanta denied the allegations against her and said that she sent the girl to her home in Nilphamari as the girl had stolen money from them.