London Police Search for Two Bangladeshis Accused of Raping 13-Year-Old Girl; One Believed to Have Fled to Bangladesh

Two Bangladeshis named in investigation into heinous crime, one suspected of fleeing to Bangladesh; International media tarnishes Bangladesh’s image with new blow

London’s Metropolitan Police are searching for two Bangladeshi nationals accused of raping a 13-year-old girl in the UK. Police believe one of the accused has fled to Bangladesh. Investigators believe the other is still in the UK. The fact that the names of two Bangladeshis have emerged in the investigation into the horrific crime of child abuse and that one has fled to Bangladesh has raised new questions about the country’s image and reputation in the international arena.

A report published by the British newspaper Express on October 30 said that the two accused are Shawkat Ahmed (31) and Zahidul Hasan Jagirdar (34). Both have connections to the Tower Hamlets area of ​​London. Police believe that Jagirdar has moved to Bangladesh, while Shawkat Ahmed is in the UK.

Police began an investigation after receiving a complaint of rape of a 13-year-old girl in the Bethnal Green area of ​​London around 11:30 p.m. on August 1, 2024.

According to the investigation, the girl told police she had met two men on Whitechapel Road. The men then took her to the nearby Weavers Fields area, where the alleged rape took place. A passerby later found the girl helpless and helped her.

Since the incident, investigators have conducted a variety of activities, including reviewing CCTV footage, conducting forensic examinations, and speaking to potential witnesses. Police have also been in regular contact with the victim and his family.

The investigation has progressed as new information emerged following a previous appeal to the public by the police on September 18. Based on this, on October 29, the Metropolitan Police released images of two men and again sought the public’s help in identifying their whereabouts.

Detective Chief Inspector Anna Dighton, the detective leading the investigation, said they were looking for Shawkat Ahmed and Zahidul Hasan Jagirdar and wanted to speak to them. Police believe Shawkat is in the UK and Jagirdar may have fled to Bangladesh.

Police have appealed to the public for information on the whereabouts of the suspects. Crimestoppers, a crime information agency, has announced a reward of up to £10,000 for information leading to their arrest and conviction.

Damage to Bangladesh’s image

A country’s international reputation does not only depend on its diplomacy, economy, or development activities; the behavior of its citizens abroad is also intertwined with that country’s image at different times.

A large number of Bangladeshi immigrants living in countries like the UK have long portrayed Bangladesh positively through hard work, business, education and social activities. But the names of two Bangladeshis emerging in the investigation of serious crimes such as child rape and the fear that one of them may flee to Bangladesh have brought Bangladesh’s name to the fore in the international media in a negative light.

Especially when a person returns to their home country after being investigated for a serious crime abroad, it becomes important not only for the law and order situation, but also for international cooperation and criminal justice.

The charges against the accused in this incident have not yet been proven judicially. However, it is very important to identify their whereabouts, cooperate in the investigation and ensure the necessary legal process. If Jagirdar is indeed in Bangladesh, the cooperation of the relevant authorities is required to identify his whereabouts.

The responsibility for the alleged crimes of two individuals does not in any way lie with ordinary citizens of Bangladesh. But there is no room for ignoring the reality that the country’s name has been negatively portrayed in the international news due to individual crimes.