Police have arrested a man in Purbadhala upazila of Netrokona on charges of repeatedly raping his 16-year-old daughter over several months, leaving her six months pregnant.
The arrestee was identified as Shafiqul Islam, 48, son of late Habibullah of Dhala Ashrayan Project in Dhala Jatrabari village under Bishkakunia union.
According to police and local sources, the victim previously worked at a house in Dhaka. Her mother also worked as a domestic worker at another household. Around six months ago, her father brought her back home.
Police said the accused allegedly began sexually abusing the girl two to three days after her return, taking advantage of his wife’s absence. He allegedly continued the abuse regularly through intimidation and threats.
About two months ago, she was sent to work at a house in Mymensingh. There, a pregnancy test was conducted after visible physical changes, which confirmed she was pregnant.
Later, the father allegedly brought her back home in haste and threatened to kill her if she disclosed the matter.
As the girl’s condition became more visible, locals noticed the changes, and the incident eventually came to light, triggering outrage in the area.
Around 11:00am on Wednesday, acting on instructions from Netrokona Superintendent of Police Md Tariqul Islam, a team from Purbadhala Police Station went to the spot.
Police spoke to the victim, who narrated the incident of abuse.
Later, accompanied by Union Parishad members Hafiz Uddin and Ziaur Rahman, she went to the police station and filed a written complaint.
Following the complaint, police arrested the accused from the Goruakanda area of Khalishapur union at around 5:30pm on Wednesday.
Purbadhala Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun said police rescued the victim immediately after receiving information and later arrested the accused.
