Two suspects in the case filed over the gang-rape of a woman and her teenage daughter following a robbery in Matamuhuri area of Chakaria, Cox’s Bazar made confessional statements before a court.
On Wednesday, the accused, identified as Md Tareq and Mehedi Hasan, admitted their involvement in the crimes before the Cox’s Bazar Senior Judicial Magistrate Court.
Following their statements, the court ordered that they, along with three other suspects-Kefayet Hossain, Md Tanjid, and Tofazzal Hossain-be sent to jail.
The victims, a woman and her 15-year-old daughter, have reportedly identified four of the five arrested individuals.
According to the case statement, a gang of robbers entered the victims’ residence in Matamuhuri area early Tuesday morning by cutting through a window grill.
The group looted cash, gold jewellery, and other valuables. Before fleeing, the assailants physically assaulted the woman and daughter.
The victims were admitted to the One-Stop Crisis Centre (OCC) at Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital on Tuesday for treatment and medical examinations.
Subaktagin Mahmud Sohel, residential medical officer at the hospital, told the TIMES of Bangladesh that the mother and daughter have since been discharged, and the hospital will continue to cooperate with the investigation.
Md Monir Hossain, officer-in-charge (OC) of Chakaria Police Station, stated that the victim filed a case on Wednesday morning, naming seven individuals and citing another five to six unidentified suspects.
He confirmed that six people were initially detained during a police raid on Tuesday, with five subsequently shown arrested in the case.
One individual, Rezaul Karim, was initially held under Section 54 of the Code of Criminal Procedure but was later released by the court.
Police investigations have revealed that the arrested individuals are members of an organised robbery gang. Several members had previously served prison time for robbery but returned to criminal activities, including extortion and rape, after being released on bail.
Inspector Md Masud, the investigating officer in the case from Chakaria Police Station, said, “A thorough investigation is being conducted to ensure the actual perpetrators are brought to justice,” he said.
While local residents have demanded the immediate arrest of the remaining suspects, law enforcement authorities confirmed that operations are ongoing to apprehend those still at large.
