An eight-year-old child succumbed to injuries following a rape in Bangladesh on Thursday, triggering widespread protests across the nation, BBC reports.
The assault occurred while the girl was visiting her elder sister’s residence in Magura city between the night of March 5 and the following morning, as stated in the complaint lodged by her mother.
Authorities arrested the elder sister’s 18-year-old husband, his parents, and his brother, placing them in custody.
Following the child’s death on Thursday night, enraged residents attacked and set fire to the house where the alleged incident occurred.
The girl suffered three cardiac arrests and passed away at around 1:00 pm local time (07:00 GMT) on Thursday, according to a statement from the government’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) department.
“Although doctors managed to stabilize her condition twice, her heart failed to restart after the third episode,” the statement confirmed.
She had remained in critical condition for six days at Dhaka’s Combined Military Hospital after being admitted on March 8.
Her mother told local media, “I thought my daughter would survive. If she had made it through, I would never have let her go anywhere alone again.”
An army helicopter transported the girl’s remains to Magura’s local stadium around 6:00 pm, where protesters had gathered.
According to The Daily Star, Aiyub Ali, officer-in-charge of Magura Sadar Police Station, reported difficulties in controlling the situation.
Thousands attended the namaz-e-janaza in Magura’s public square before the burial at 7:30 pm. Dhaka University held a symbolic funeral, followed by student demonstrations and speeches.
Demonstrators called for expedited justice in rape cases and reforms to laws protecting women and children. Protesters highlighted the need for clearer legal definitions of rape in Bangladesh.
Legal advisor Asif Nazrul stated that the trial would commence within seven days.
“DNA sample collection has been completed, and we expect results within five days,” Nazrul announced at the Secretariat, noting that 12 to 13 witnesses had provided statements.
“If we begin the trial within seven days, our judges will deliver swift justice,” he added.
Bangladesh’s 2020 law mandates capital punishment for child rape. Shortly after the Magura incident, reports emerged of three similar child rape cases across Bangladesh. Perpetrators included both neighbors and close relatives.
Law and Arbitration Center data reveals 3,438 child rape cases in Bangladesh over the past eight years, with many more likely unreported. Of these victims, 539 were under six years old, and 933 were aged seven to twelve. Studies indicate that children typically face abuse from known individuals.
