A man named Abdul Matin has been arrested for allegedly making obscene gestures toward a female passenger in an auto-rickshaw. The incident gained public attention after a video of the misconduct went viral on social media, prompting police to take action.
The incident took place on April 14 during a ride from the Staff Quarters in Dhaka’s Demra area to Barobhanga.
Demra Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mahmudul Rahman confirmed on Thursday afternoon that Matin has been arrested and sent to jail following a court order.
“A case has been filed against him under charges of violence against women and sexual harassment. Matin, approximately 60 years old, hails from Cumilla and currently resides in Sanarpar Madina Tank area of Demra,” he added.
Earlier, on Wednesday (April 16), the Bangladesh Police’s verified Facebook page announced his arrest.
According to the Facebook post, a student of Siddheswari Girls’ College uploaded two videos on April 14 showing an elderly man sitting opposite her in a shared auto-rickshaw repeatedly making obscene gestures.
The student said she had boarded the auto-rickshaw from Demra Staff Quarters heading toward Barobhanga when the incident occurred. Upon confronting the man after getting off the rickshaw, he denied any wrongdoing. However, after the video went viral, police launched an investigation, identified Matin, and took him into custody.
The police have also reminded the public that hotlines are available 24/7 for reporting such incidents. The numbers are: 01320002001, 01320002002, and 01320002222. Police encourage citizens to report any incidents of harassment or abuse via these hotlines, the post said.