Hindu Widow Allegedly Gang-Raped, Tied to a Tree and Humiliated in Bangladesh

The incident reportedly took place in Kaliganj, a sub-district of Jhenaidah district. The 40-year-old woman told police that two men, identified as Shahin and his associate Hasan, assaulted her after months of harassment and intimidation.

According to her police complaint, the woman had bought three decimals of land along with a two-storey house for 2 million taka from Shahin and his brother around two and a half years ago. After the purchase, Shahin allegedly began making indecent proposals and harassing her when she refused.

On Saturday evening, when two relatives from her village were visiting, Shahin and Hasan allegedly forced their way into her house and raped her. They then demanded 50,000 taka from her. When she refused, the two men allegedly assaulted her relatives and drove them out.

The woman further alleged that when she began screaming for help, the attackers tied her to a tree, cut off her hair, filmed the act and later circulated the video on social media. She was severely tortured and eventually lost consciousness. Local residents later rescued her and rushed her to Jhenaidah Sadar Hospital.

Hospital superintendent Dr Md Mostafizur Rahman said the woman did not initially reveal what had happened, but medical examinations later confirmed that she had been abused.

The survivor has since filed a formal complaint at Kaliganj Police Station, naming Shahin and Hasan as the accused. Jhenaidah Additional Superintendent of Police Billal Hossain said police have recorded her statement and that “the highest possible legal action will be taken after investigation.”

Rising violence against minorities

The attack occurred on the same day that a Hindu man, Khokon Chandra Das, died after being attacked and set on fire by a mob in Shariatpur district. He reportedly tried to escape by jumping into a pond but later died from his injuries.

On December 24, another Hindu youth, Amrit Mondal, was allegedly lynched by a mob in Kalimohar Union. While Bangladesh’s Muhammad Yunus-led interim government condemned the killing, it claimed Mondal was an extortionist and denied any communal motive.

Earlier, on December 18, 27-year-old Dipu Chandra Das was lynched after being falsely accused of blasphemy, with reports saying his body was later hung from a tree and set on fire.

India has expressed concern over what it has described as “unremitting hostility” toward minorities in Bangladesh under the Yunus administration and said it is closely monitoring the situation. The Bangladesh government, however, has stated that it remains committed to protecting minority communities.