Magura rape-victim child shifted to CMH

Rape victim child of Magura has been shifted to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) for better treatment from Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) on Saturday afternoon.

DMCH deputy director Ashraful Alam confirmed this at around 5:00pm today, Saturday.

Speaking to Prothom Alo, Ashraful Alam said social welfare adviser Sharmin Murshid visited the child at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital on Saturday afternoon.

The child was sent to the CMH following the instruction of the adviser and the recommendation of the medical board formed for the treatment of the child.

Earlier, DMCH director Brigadier General Md Asaduzzaman said the condition of the child is critical. Her breathing is being conducted with the help of a ventilator.  

The eight-year-old child has allegedly been raped while visiting her elder sister’s home in Magura city. A cousin of the child told Prothom Alo that his sister still unconscious.

Physicians said they would keep the child under observation for the next 24 hours. The child was admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital on Thursday evening.

According to sources from the police and the child’s family, the child was taken to Magura 250-bed hospital in an unconscious stated around 11:00 am on Thursday. From there she was sent to Faridpur Medical College Hospital for better treatment by the afternoon. Then she was referred to Dhaka Medical College.

The child’s family members said that they reside in the Sreepur upazila of Magura. The child had been visiting her elder sister’s (in-laws) house a few days ago. At around 11:30 AM on Thursday, her sister’s mother-in-law brought the unconscious child to the Magura 250-bed hospital.

Physicians at that hospital said that an emergency examination showed that the child had a mark on her neck. It seems she was pinned down with something. There are scratches on several parts of her body. She bled from her vaginal tract.

The Officer-in-charge (OC) of Magura Sadar Police, Ayub Ali, told Prothom Alo on Firday morning that based on initial assumptions, it is believed that the child was raped. All members of the child’s family are in Dhaka. As of now, no written complaint has been lodged at the police station.

He further mentioned that based on the family’s allegations, the brother-in-law of the child and his father has been taken into custody for questioning. An investigation is underway.

Meanwhile, demanding justice for the accused, students and local residents staged a protest yesterday after Friday prayers, blocking the highway and surrounding the police station in Magura Sadar. During the protest, they surrounded the main gate of the police station, calling for the accused individuals to be handed over to them. Later, the army intervened and dispersed the protestors.

The mother of the child filed a case in connection with the rape incident. The child's mother sent the complaint to the Magura sadar police station on Saturday morning through the child's elder sister and father. The case was filed accordingly at around 3:00pm.

Magura additional superintendent of police Md Mirajul Islam confirmed this to Prothom Alo.

He said four accused are already under their custody. The accused have already shown arrested in the case.