Freelancer Assaulted, Girlfriend Nearly Raped in Rajshahi: 4 Arrested

Local Correspondent

In Rajshahi city, a group of armed miscreants attacked a freelancer at his home in the Barabongram area under Shah Makhdum Police Station. The assailants demanded extortion money, physically assaulted the victim, and attempted to rape his girlfriend.

The Rajshahi Metropolitan Police (RMP) has arrested four individuals in connection with the incident.

The arrested suspects are Sazzadur Rahman (25), Hasanur Rahman Rabbi (25), Rakib Hasan (28), and Md. Sani Rahman (30). They are known in the area as troublemakers and delinquents.

According to police and local sources, the victim, Uttam Barai, a resident of Gopalganj, lives in a rented house in Barabongram’s Raypara area and works as a freelancer. On Sunday afternoon, March 16, his girlfriend visited him for an urgent matter. Shortly after, the accused forcibly entered Uttam’s home, armed with local weapons, and began assaulting him.

The attackers stole Uttam’s mobile phone and cash, demanding Tk 500,000 as extortion money. When he refused, they beat him and vandalized his belongings.

The assailants then threatened to leak personal photos and videos of Uttam’s girlfriend on social media if their demands were not met. They also attempted to rape her, but she resisted and was physically assaulted.

Meanwhile, Uttam discreetly contacted a colleague, who alerted the police by calling the national emergency number 999. Police quickly arrived at the scene and rescued the victims.

However, the suspects fled upon realizing the police’s presence. Uttam filed a case with Shah Makhdum Police Station.

On Monday morning, acting on a tip-off, police raided the suspects’ homes and arrested them. They recovered a toy pistol, a knife, stolen mobile phones, a camera, stamps, and other items from the suspects.

The arrested individuals have been sent to jail following a court order.