A woman has allegedly been married off to her ‘rapist’ at the police station the day after being gang-raped at Pabna Sadar Upazila’s Dapunia union.
On Monday (Sept 9), a three-member probe committee was formed to probe the incident and Pabna Sadar police OC Obaidul Hoque, confirmed Pabna Superintendent of police Sheikh Rafiqul Islam.
According to the locals the mother of three was gang-raped by her neighbour Rasel Ahmed and his accomplice on Aug 29 at her own home.
Two days later on Aug 31, she was reportedly held captive at an office for three days and gang-raped by four to five men.
Locals said that when she informed her family they admitted her to Pabna General Hospital on Sept 5 after.
The victim later lodged a complaint with Pabna Sadar police after which Rasel was arrested. In order to sweep things under the rug the victim was reportedly brought to the station and married off too him.
Dapunia Union Council member Doulat Ali said that Rasel was arrested in front of him. “I later heard that the woman was married off to him.”
The victim said that the marriage took place on the orders of the OC.
Meanwhile, the accused, Rasel said, “Police forced me to marry her by threatening me with remands. I’m innocent and being trapped.”
OC Obaidul Hoque said that the woman didn’t have any complaints and the marriage took place later as per the family’s wish.