An angry mob beat a man before handing him over to police for allegedly raping his 13-year-old step-granddaughter in the Nawdapara area of Bheramara upazila in Kushtia district on Tuesday morning.
The accused was identified as Shahabul Islam, 47, a resident of Joyrampur village in Daulatpur upazila.
Shahabul Islam was the second husband of the girl’s grandmother, and the couple had been residing in a rented house in Bheramara since their marriage.
According to police and local sources, the victim had gone to her grandmother’s house on Monday. On Tuesday around 11:00 am, while the house was empty, Shahabul allegedly assaulted her.
The girl’s screams alerted neighbours, who immediately intervened and caught him. Angered, the locals physically assaulted Shahabul before authorities arrived.
Police quickly reached the scene, rescued him from the mob, and took him into custody. Kushtia Additional Superintendent of Police (Bheramara Circle) Delwar Hossain confirmed that Shahabul admitted to the crime during preliminary questioning.
The victim was sent to the 250-bed Kushtia General Hospital for a medical examination. Reserved women’s seat MP Farida Yasmin also visited the family to offer support.
