Allegation of two female passengers being raped overnight on a moving bus. A robbery and the alleged rape of two female passengers have been reported on a bus traveling from Gabtoli to Rajshahi. In connection with the incident, police in Natore have arrested the bus driver, supervisor, and assistant.
Allegation of two female passengers: Boraiagram Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md. Sirajul Islam stated that they were arrested yesterday afternoon from the Thana Mor area of Boraiagram.
The arrested individuals are the bus driver, Babul Ali (30), son of Abdul Gafur from the Shah Makhdum College area in Boalia, Rajshahi; the supervisor, Suman Islam (33), son of Abdul Aziz from Sadhu Mor; and the assistant, Mahbub Alam (28), son of Angur Mondal from Purbo Kathalia.
OC Sirajul Islam said, “The Unique Road Royals bus, traveling from Dhaka to Rajshahi, departed from Gabtoli at 10 PM on Monday. A few additional passengers boarded in the Chandra area of Gazipur. When the bus reached Tangail district, a group of 8 to 10 individuals, including some of the new passengers and a few previous ones, took control of the bus. They looted the belongings of the passengers and raped two female passengers before getting off in the Mirzapur area.”
The OC further stated that on Tuesday morning, when the bus reached the Boraiagram Thana Mor area, the passengers stopped the vehicle and informed the police. The police then arrived, arrested the bus driver and two others, and seized the bus.
Bus passenger Majnu Akand told local journalists, “Shortly after the bus left Gabtoli, eight robbers, armed with knives, daggers, and pistols, took the passengers hostage. They looted cash, gold jewelry, and valuable belongings from 40-50 passengers.”
He also alleged that the robbers raped two female passengers. Later, the robbers stopped the bus in a secluded area in Mirzapur, Tangail, and fled. He claimed that despite informing Mirzapur police, no action was taken.
Another passenger, Omar Ali, said, “The bus driver and his assistants helped the robbers. We demand appropriate action against them.”
Police officer Sirajul Islam said, “The passengers claim this incident took place in Tangail. Therefore, Boraiagram police station does not have jurisdiction to file a case. Moreover, the arrested individuals are only suspects, as per the passengers’ statements. We have sent them to court under Section 54 this morning.”
