Five-Year-Old Girl Allegedly Targeted in Sexual Assault Attempt in Cumilla’s Debidwar, Case Filed.

Accused Neighbour Allegedly Lured Child with Chocolate; Police Say Medical Examination and Judicial Statement Have Been Recorded By M. A. Khayer Emon Cumilla Correspondent DEBIDWAR, CUMILLA, October 12: A 25-year-old man has been accused of attempting to sexually assault a five-year-old girl after allegedly luring her with the promise of chocolate in Debidwar upazila of Cumilla district. A case has been filed against the accused under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, while police say efforts are underway to arrest him. The accused, identified as Md. Mazharul Islam, 25, is the son of late Abdul Mannan of Paschim Bepari Bari in Kurain village under Mohanpur Union of Debidwar upazila. He reportedly lives in the same neighbourhood as the child. According to the complaint, the alleged incident took place at around 3:00 pm on October 5 in an abandoned house beside a pond in Paschim Bepari Bari, Kurain village. The accused allegedly lured the child with the promise of chocolate before taking her to the deserted building. The child’s aunt filed the case at Debidwar Police Station on October 8, naming Mazharul Islam as the accused. Child Allegedly Rescued After Neighbour Heard Her Crying According to the complainant, the child’s father had died, and members of the extended family had been taking care of the child and her mother. The complainant said the child cried in pain and distress following the alleged incident, but the family initially did not understand what had happened. After speaking with the child and learning details of the alleged incident, they decided to file a police case. Citing the child’s account, the complainant alleged that the accused took her into the abandoned house, removed her trousers and attempted to sexually assault her. When the child cried out in pain, he allegedly covered her mouth to silence her. At that time, a local resident, identified as Bulu Mia, was reportedly passing near the house. After hearing sounds of distress coming from inside, he allegedly called other residents to the scene. The accused fled the spot, according to the complaint. The child was subsequently taken to a local medical practitioner for treatment, the complainant said. Family Allegedly Sought Local Mediation The complainant further alleged that the accused and members of his family requested a local mediation to resolve the matter and urged the family not to pursue legal action. On October 7, a village arbitration meeting was reportedly held, during which Mazharul denied involvement in the alleged incident, according to local accounts. The meeting reportedly imposed a punishment of 10 strokes with shoes and a fine of Tk 5,000 on the accused. However, a subsequent altercation between the two sides allegedly broke out over the decision. During the clash, the accused’s elder brother, Nurul Islam Bepari, was reportedly assaulted and seriously injured. He was later admitted to Cumilla Medical College Hospital for treatment. On October 9, the accused and members of his family reportedly organised a human chain in their locality, claiming that the allegations were fabricated and false. The allegations made by both sides could not be independently verified. Police Record Medical Examination and Judicial Statement Officer-in-Charge of Debidwar Police Station Md. Moniruzzaman said the case had been filed by the child’s aunt and that the authorities had taken the necessary initial investigative steps. “Following the filing of the case, the child underwent a medical examination, and her statement was recorded before a magistrate under Section 22 of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act,” the officer-in-charge said. He added that the accused remained at large and had not yet been arrested. “Efforts to arrest the accused are continuing,” he said. Police have not yet announced an arrest in the case. The allegations remain under investigation, and the accused has not been convicted by a court.