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Photo source: Brett Sayles, via Pexels, August 21st, 2020.
27-02-2026 | Pauliina Majasaari | Asia Team Researcher, Global Human Rights Defence.
An alleged abduction and gang rape of a 25-year-old physically disabled Hindu woman occurred on February 22nd, 2026, creating vast shock amongst the Hindu and local communities. The victim was returning home from a Kirtan religious programme in Chandpur sub-district of Barishal, when she was intercepted by three familiar young men around nine pm. She was forcibly taken to an isolated location, where the assailants physically and sexually assaulted her throughout the night. According to statements made by the victim, the men strangled, kicked her in the stomach and raped her, leaving her on the ground critically injured and unconscious.
Early morning on the following day, locals found the woman lying naked and bloodied on the road, from where she was rushed to the hospital. According to the doctors, the victim was in critical condition physically, had suffered heavy bleeding, and medical examinations were ongoing. While in the hospital, the victim clearly identified the attackers, including Rakib, Russel, and Shel. Despite this identification, no arrests have been made yet by the police, and an investigation will be filed once the victim’s condition improves. Such action by the authorities is signalling the lack of will to protect minorities’ rights. Sexual assault, combined with physical assault, is gravely traumatising and stigmatising in a society where religion is strongly at the forefront. The act itself and the lack of investigations interfere with the right to be free from sexual abuse and torture, as well as the right to an effective remedy.
The incident and the aftermath have caused outrage within the local community, Hindu organisations, and human rights activists. Protests have been sparked, where justice and the immediate arrest of the perpetrators have been demanded. Human rights organisations have called for swift and sensitive action by law enforcement to ensure Hindu’s protection and expressed the need for medical treatment, psychological support and legal assistance for the victim. A warning was made on behalf of human rights actors, where concerns on the safety of the minority and marginalised women could increase upon the failure to ensure prompt justice and adequate punishment.
