13-year-old pregnant after repeated 'rape' in Munshiganj; family demands justice
The primary accused denies the allegations and has called for a DNA test to identify the perpetrator, while the victim’s family has demanded legal action against all those allegedly involved.
A 13-year-old girl in Munshiganj's Gazaria Upazila is five months pregnant after allegedly being raped multiple times by a neighbour and two of his friends, with the alleged perpetrators threatening to share a video of the first assault on social media.
The victim comes from a financially struggling family. Her elder sister works at a local industrial factory, while her mother works as a domestic worker.
According to the family, around five months ago, when the girl's mother and sister were away at work, their neighbour Ismam, 18, son of Tajul Islam, allegedly entered their home and raped the girl after threatening her with a knife. He allegedly recorded the assault on his mobile phone and later used the video to threaten her with sharing it on social media if she did not comply with him.
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The family further alleged that Ismam's friends Maruf, 19, and Ahidul, 18, later raped the girl, also using the video to intimidate her.
The girl's elder sister said they learnt about the pregnancy after noticing recent physical changes and taking her to a doctor.
An ultrasound examination confirmed that she was five months pregnant, she said. "We are from a very poor family. My mother and I work outside the home to support the family. Taking advantage of our absence, a neighbouring youth ruined my sister's life. He first raped her at knifepoint and recorded the incident. More people may be involved. I want the maximum punishment for everyone involved," she added.
The girl's mother said her daughter initially named only Ismam but later named two others. "At first, my daughter mentioned only Ismam, but now she has named two more people. I want everyone responsible to be punished," she said.
When contacted, Ismam denied the allegations, saying he had been framed. "I am in no way involved in this incident. If necessary, a DNA test should be conducted to identify the actual perpetrator and bring him to justice," he said.
Nakeeb Akram Hossain, officer-in-charge of Gazaria Police Station, said police had received information about the alleged incident from local sources.
"We have asked the victim's family to submit a written complaint. Once the complaint is received, necessary legal action will be taken following an investigation," he added.
