Bangladeshi Hindu widow tortured, raped, tied to tree; Hair cut after rejecting advances

A Hindu widow in Bangladesh was allegedly tortured, raped, tied to a tree, and had her hair forcibly cut by two local men in Jhenaidah district, police and local media reports said.

The incident occurred on Saturday night in the Kaliganj municipal area. The survivor, a 40-year-old woman, was reportedly targeted over an extended period by one of the accused, identified as Shahin, who allegedly made repeated indecent advances towards her over the past two-and-a-half years.

According to the complaint and the victim’s statement, the woman had purchased a two-storey house and around 300 decimals of land for 20 lakh taka from Shahin and his brother roughly two-and-a-half years ago. Following the transaction, Shahin allegedly developed an obsession with the woman and began harassing her after she rejected his advances.

On the night of the attack, the woman was allegedly subjected to severe physical and sexual assault by Shahin and another accomplice. She reportedly lost consciousness due to the torture and was later rescued by residents, who found her in an injured condition and rushed her to Jhenaidah Sadar Hospital.

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Dr Mohammad Mustafizur Rahman, superintendent of Jhenaidah General Hospital, said the survivor initially did not disclose the full details of the assault. “Later, through medical examination, we came to know that she had been subjected to torture,” he told local media.

Jhenaidah Additional Superintendent of Police Bilal Hossain confirmed that the woman’s complaint has been formally registered. “We have called the victim to the police station and recorded her statement. After completing the investigation, strict legal action will be taken against those responsible,” he said.

Police later arrested the two accused men from the Kaliganj area after the survivor filed her complaint at the Kaliganj police station. Further investigation into the case is ongoing. The incident has sparked renewed concern over the safety of religious minorities and women in parts of Bangladesh.