Man detained in Chattogram over attempted rape of five-year-old

A man has been detained in Chattogram's Halishahar area after being accused of attempting to rape a five-year-old child.

The incident took place around 10am today (7 June) inside a house in the Chhotopool Kacha Bazar area under Halishahar Police Station.

Locals detained the accused, identified as Rubel, 45, an auto-rickshaw driver, and later handed him over to police. He was reportedly beaten by residents before police arrived.

Confirming the incident, Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) Deputy Commissioner (West) Md Alamgir Hossain told The Business Standard that police detained the accused after receiving information from locals.

"He has been taken to the police station and is being questioned. Further details will be provided later," he said.

According to police and local sources, Rubel used to operate an auto-rickshaw on the Halishahar route. The victim's father is also an auto-rickshaw driver, and Rubel had prior acquaintance with the family, which led to his frequent visits to their home. At the time of the incident, the victim's mother was at her workplace.

The victim's father said he and his daughter were asleep in the morning due to rain when Rubel visited their home and asked him to go out with his vehicle. As he declined due to the weather, Rubel left and he went back to sleep.

The child's father later woke up after hearing his daughter's scream. When she informed him of the incident while crying, he went out in search of Rubel but could not find him. Rubel was later caught by locals.

As the incident spread, tension grew in the area. An agitated crowd allegedly beat Rubel and tied him to an electric pole before police were informed.

Halishahar Police Station officers later went to the spot around 11:30am and took him into custody.