Wife allegedly gang-raped, husband beaten in Bhola over extortion demand

In Bhola's Tazumuddin upazila, a man has filed a case alleging that local leaders of Sramik Dal and Chatra Dal beat him and gang-raped his wife after failing to extort money from him.

The incident reportedly occurred on Sunday (29 June) at noon in the Kamarpatty area of Ward No 4, Chandpur Union.

Tazumuddin Police Station recorded the case yesterday (30 June), after which the victim was admitted to Bhola 250-Bed General Hospital for medical examination.

The case names six individuals, including Farid Uddin, joint general secretary of Tazumuddin upazila Shramik Dal; Alauddin, his associate; and Md Russel, convener of Tazumuddin Government College Chhatra Dal.

The complainant, the husband of the rape victim, said he lives in Dhaka with his first wife, while his second wife resides in Tazumuddin.

"On Saturday night (28 June), my second wife called and asked me to come to her house in Tazumuddin Bazar to talk. When I arrived, I was detained by Farid Uddin, Alauddin, Russel and several others who beat me and demanded Tk4 lakh in extortion," he said.

He alleged that the attackers used SS pipes to beat him, and when his first wife came to the location around 11am on Sunday with some money, the group became more aggressive, as the amount was less than demanded.

"They beat us both and kept us confined in a room," he added.

Later that afternoon, the man said, he was taken outside under the pretext of having tea.

"When I returned, I found the room locked. After knocking repeatedly, someone opened the door. Inside, I found my wife crying. I then learned she had been gang-raped by the accused."

He further stated that the attackers threatened to kill them if they reported the incident. His wife later attempted suicide multiple times. 

After contacting the police via the national emergency number 999, both were rescued and taken to Tazumuddin Police Station, where the case was filed.

No comments from the accused were available at the time of reporting.

However, Golam Mostofa Mintu, convener of Tazumuddin upazila BNP, said, "If any leaders or activists of our associate organisations are found to be involved, strict organisational action will be taken."

Dr Aminul Islam, the duty doctor at Bhola 250-Bed General Hospital, said, "The woman was admitted on Monday night and her treatment is ongoing. Necessary examinations are underway."

Officer-in-Charge of Tazumuddin Police Station Md Mohabbat Khan confirmed that a case has been filed naming six individuals.

"The victim has been sent for medical examination and efforts to arrest the accused are ongoing," he said.

Police have also detained the complainant's second wife for questioning.