Rezaul Karim Mallick, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police for the Dhaka Range Police, has vowed justice over the alleged rape and murder of a teenage girl in Narsingdi.
The DIG made the remarks on Friday morning after visiting the crime scene in Madhabdi. Police said five suspects have been arrested following a case filed by the victim’s mother against nine people on charges of rape, abduction and murder.
Those arrested include Ahammad Ali Dewan, vice-president of Mahishasura Union BNP and a former union parishad member; his son Imran Dewan; Mohammad Ayub, a cousin of the prime suspect known as Noora; and two others, Ebadullah and Gaffar.
Police said four other accused, including the prime suspect Noora, are still at large.
“We are investigating from every angle. Those responsible will face the full force of the law,” DIG Rezaul Karim Mallick said, adding that raids are under way to arrest the remaining suspects.
Khairul Kabir Khokon, MP for Narsingdi Sadar, also visited the area and expressed condolences to the bereaved family. “No offender, no matter how influential, should be spared. All accused, including the prime suspect, must be arrested within 48 hours,” he said.
According to police, the girl was allegedly gang-raped about 15 days ago by a group led by Noora. Investigators said Ahammad Ali Dewan later took responsibility for “settling” the issue through local arbitration. Allegations have emerged that he accepted money from the accused to suppress the matter and pressured the victim’s family to leave the village.
The victim’s stepfather said he was taking the girl to a relative’s house on Wednesday afternoon when five men led by Noora allegedly abducted her from the Baraitala area. After failing to find her, the family returned home.
On Thursday morning, locals found the girl’s body in a mustard field with a scarf wrapped around her neck and informed police. After an autopsy, the body was handed over to the family on Friday afternoon.
Protests were held in Madhabdi and Narsingdi town, with residents demanding swift justice.
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