Five arrested in Bangladesh for raping Hindu woman, circulating video; MEA urges protection of minorities

Police in Bangladesh have arrested five individuals in connection with the rape of a Hindu woman and the circulation of a video of the victim on social media. The incident took place in Ramchadrapur Panchkitta village under Muradnagar police station in Comilla district on Thursday.

According to a police statement reported by ANI, the main accused, 36-year-old Fajr Ali, was caught by local residents while allegedly raping the wife of an expatriate from the same village. He was beaten by the villagers but managed to flee the scene.

"Some people present at the scene immediately recorded a video of the victim and spread it on social media," the statement quoted by ANI added.


The disturbing footage, which went viral, shows the victim naked and pleading for her dignity.

A case has been registered at Muradnagar Police Station. Authorities have arrested Fajr Ali along with four others who allegedly recorded and circulated the video. Police confirmed that legal proceedings are underway against all five accused.

The incident comes amid growing concern over violence against religious minorities and women in Bangladesh. On May 31, various organisations held a human chain and protest rally in front of the national press club in Dhaka, condemning violence against minority communities. The protest was organised by Sammilita Sanatan Parishad, a minority alliance.

In response to recent incidents, India’s ministry of external affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a June 27 briefing that it is the responsibility of Bangladesh’s interim government to ensure the safety of Hindus and other minorities. He made the remarks in the context of an attack on a Durga temple.

Earlier on May 16, thousands of women’s rights activists gathered in Dhaka near the Parliament building, demanding equality and dignity for women. The rally, held under the slogan “A March of Solidarity at the Call of Women,” aimed to protest efforts to curtail women’s rights in the name of religion.