2 former SAD leaders arrested in Magura over allegations of gang-raping an expatriate's wife

Police have arrested two former leaders of the Students Against Discrimination (SAD) in connection with the alleged gang rape of a 30-year-old woman, the wife of an expatriate, in Mohammadpur upazila of Magura. The woman filed a case on Tuesday (6 January), naming four accused, over an incident that took place late Monday night.

The arrested accused are Sijan Mahmud, 20, and Nafiz Ahmed, 22, of Balidia Union. Both were members and spokespersons of the Mohammadpur upazila unit of SAD, announced on 20 April last year. Police sent them to jail on Wednesday. The other two accused - Rubel Sheikh, 24, and Suman Sheikh, 25, - remain at large.

Magura district convener of SAD, Selim, claimed that the committee in which the accused were named had been dissolved within two days of its announcement and currently has no validity.

According to the case statement, the victim works as a factory labourer. On the night of the incident, around 10pm, she was returning home in a factory vehicle. After getting off the bus, Sijan Mahmud, whom she knew previously, contacted her by phone and met her. The other three accused then surrounded her. Nafiz Ahmed allegedly recorded a video with a mobile phone with Sijan standing beside the victim. Threatening to spread the video online and among villagers and relatives, the four allegedly gang raped her around 11:30pm. The accused also reportedly warned her not to inform anyone.

With two accused in custody and two absconding, police said statements from all suspects could not yet be taken. Mohammadpur Police Station's inspector (investigation) said the victim's medical examination has been completed, her clothes seized, and arrangements are being made, through the court, for DNA tests of the victim and the accused. Police said efforts are ongoing to arrest the remaining suspects.