Photo: Collected
An eight-year-old girl from Magura, brutally raped while visiting her elder sister’s home, was transferred from Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Dhaka on Wednesday afternoon for specialised care. DMCH Deputy Director Ashraful Alam confirmed the transfer at around 5:00pm, noting that the decision followed a visit from Social Welfare Adviser Sharmin Murshid earlier that day.
“Adviser Sharmin Murshid came to see the child this afternoon,” Alam said. “Based on her advice and the recommendation of the medical board overseeing the girl’s treatment, we decided to shift her to CMH for better facilities.” Hospital sources reported that the child was transported in a cardiac ambulance after 5:00pm, accompanied by a team of doctors.
Earlier that day, DMCH Director Brigadier General Md Asaduzzaman described the girl’s condition as critical. “She is on a ventilator, with severe genital wounds from brutal torture and a serious throat injury,” he said. A medical board, comprising specialists from the gynecology and anesthesiology departments, has been tasked with providing the highest level of care.
The child’s ordeal began last Thursday when she was brought to Magura’s 250-bed hospital in an unconscious state around 11:30am by her sister’s mother-in-law. Hailing from Sreepur Upazila in Magura district, the girl had been staying at her elder sister’s in-laws’ home for a few days. Initial examinations at Magura Hospital revealed disturbing signs of violence: a mark on her neck suggesting strangulation, scratches across her body, and bleeding from her genitals.
That afternoon, she was transferred to Faridpur Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment. By Thursday evening, she was admitted to DMCH, still unconscious. Her condition deteriorated further on Friday night, necessitating life support. On Wednesday morning, her cousin quoting doctors said, “She remains unconscious and under observation for the next 24 hours.”
On Saturday, the child’s mother filed a case with Magura Sadar Police Station through her elder daughter and husband. Registered at 3:00pm, the case charges rape and causing injury through rape under Section 9(4) of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act. The accused—her sister’s husband (brother-in-law), father-in-law, mother-in-law, and nephew—were already in police custody and have now been formally arrested.
Magura Additional Superintendent of Police Md Mirajul Islam said, “The child is being treated in Dhaka, where her mother is with her. This morning, the complaint was sent to the police station via the child’s elder sister and father, and the case was filed. The four accused, already detained, have been shown as arrested.”
Earlier, on Friday, Magura Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Ayub Ali said that the initial investigation pointed to rape. “Her family is in Dhaka, and no written complaint had been filed until today. Based on their statements, we took her brother-in-law and his father into custody for questioning.”
The horrific incident sparked widespread anger in Magura. After Friday prayers, students and residents blocked the highway and surrounded Magura Sadar Police Station, demanding justice. Protesters gathered at the station’s main gate, calling for the accused to be handed over. The situation escalated until army personnel arrived and dispersed the crowd.
As the child fights for her life at CMH, the arrests and ongoing investigation offer a glimmer of hope for justice in a case that has shaken the nation.
Messenger/JRTarek
