Justice Denied: Father killed after filing rape case, exposing a cycle of violence against women in Bangladesh

A father in Barguna who had filed a case alleging the rape of his school-going daughter was found dead just a week later. 

The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, highlighting the dangers faced by those seeking justice for sexual violence in Bangladesh. 

The victim, a 35-year-old man who worked at a poultry shop in Barguna town market, had filed a case on March 5 against a man named Srijit, accusing him of raping his seventh-grade daughter. 

The daughter was allegedly abducted and raped on the night of March 4 and was rescued the next morning from the Barguna DC Park area. Srijit, the sole accused, is currently in jail. 

The father’s body was discovered late Tuesday night in a bush behind his home. 

According to family members, he had called his wife earlier that evening, informing her that he would be late returning home due to work.

When he didn’t return by the expected time, his wife tried calling him but received no response. 

Around 1 AM, she heard his phone ringing and found his body in a muddy area behind their house. 

The victim’s sister revealed that she had spoken to her brother earlier that evening. 

He had told her that associates of the accused were gathering, and she had warned him to be cautious. 

Tragically, hours later, his body was found. 

Abdul Halim, Additional Superintendent of Police in Barguna, stated that preliminary investigations suggest the father was murdered. 

The body was handed over to the family after an autopsy, and four individuals have been detained for questioning. 

“We are investigating the matter thoroughly, and the truth will come out soon,” Halim said. 

This incident is not isolated. Across Bangladesh, similar cases of sexual violence and retaliation against victims and their families continue to surface, exposing a deeply troubling pattern. 

Other Cases of Sexual Violence 

In Bandarban’s Lama Upazila, a woman was allegedly gang-raped with the assistance of her own husband. 

Police have arrested the husband and another suspect. According to the case details, the woman’s husband, a night guard at a resort, took her to another resort where she was held for four days and gang-raped by four men. 

The husband reportedly facilitated the crime. The woman managed to escape and filed a case against five individuals, including her husband. 

In Sylhet, two men were arrested for allegedly gang-raping a mentally unstable young woman near the Hazrat Shah Paran shrine. 

The victim’s father filed a case on Wednesday, and police are investigating further. 

In Satkhira’s Kalaroa Upazila, a 12-year-old physically and speech-impaired child was allegedly raped by a man named Ibrahim Gazi. 

Locals caught him and handed him over to the police. 

In Patuakhali’s Kolapara Upazila, a college student was arrested for allegedly raping a tenth-grade student after breaking into her home. 

The victim’s father filed a case, and the accused is now in custody. 

In Manikganj, a teenager was arrested for allegedly raping a three-year-old child at a wedding event. 

The child fell ill after the incident, prompting the father to file a case. 

A Growing Crisis

These cases are part of a larger crisis of sexual violence in Bangladesh. 

From Bandarban to Sylhet, women and children are increasingly becoming targets of brutal crimes, often with little to no protection from the authorities. 

In Rangpur’s Mithapukur Upazila, 18 days after a child was raped while collecting flowers, the accused, a land surveyor named Ruhul Amin, remains at large. 

The victim’s family alleges that the accused is using his influence to threaten them into withdrawing the case. 

In Tangail’s Mirzapur Upazila, a man was arrested for helping an accused rapist escape and influencing a village arbitration. 

Meanwhile, in Pirojpur, a man was arrested for harassing students during an anti-rape rally. 

A Call for Justice

The murder of the Barguna father has sparked outrage and renewed calls for justice. 

Activists and community members are demanding stricter enforcement of laws and better protection for victims and their families. 

As the investigation into the father’s death continues, one thing is clear: the fight for justice in cases of sexual violence in Bangladesh is fraught with danger. 

For many, the pursuit of justice comes at an unimaginable cost. 

This report is a grim reminder of the urgent need for systemic change to protect the most vulnerable and ensure that perpetrators are held accountable. 

Until then, stories like these will continue to haunt the nation.