Viqarunnisa student raped in launch cabin, 2 arrested

Police have arrested two accused of raping a 12th-grade student of Viqarunnisa Noon School and College inside a launch cabin.

The arrests were made following a case filed by the victim’s brother, police confirmed on Tuesday.

According to Kotwali Police Station officer-in-charge Shah Md Faisal Ahmed, the suspects were detained within 12 hours of the complaint.

The arrested individuals were identified as Mohammad Sakib Uddin, 26, and Mohammad Nuruzzaman Mithu, 32. 

The victim, a 17-year-old student, is currently receiving treatment at the One Stop Crisis Center of Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

According to the case statement, the incident occurred on March 8 when the student boarded a launch “Farhan-04” from Hatiya in Noakhali, heading to Dhaka. Her father had placed her in cabin number 328 before leaving.

Shortly after the vessel departed, the two accused allegedly knocked on the cabin door, claiming to be acquaintances of her father. They reportedly requested to keep some cash inside the cabin for safety, saying it was intended for purchasing a motorcycle. Trusting them, the student allowed the men to enter.

The complaint states that once inside, the suspects made inappropriate advances toward the student. When she refused, one of them took her mobile phone and left the cabin while the other allegedly locked the door and raped her, threatening her with death if she screamed. 

Later that evening, around 8:00 pm, the two men allegedly assaulted her again inside the cabin.

Police said the victim’s brother filed the case under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act. The two accused were produced before a court on Tuesday afternoon.