17-year-old arrested over rape of child in Moulvibazar

A teenager was arrested on charges of raping a three-year-old child in Barlekha Upazila in Moulvibazar.

The incident happened yesterday morning when the child was buying candy from a shop that is downstairs from their residence. The victim's mother filed a case with the Barlekha Police Station last night, and police subsequently arrested the accused — the 17-year-old shopkeeper — in connection to the case, said Abul Kashem Sarkar, OC of Barlekha Police Station.

The arrested individual will be produced before the court today, he added.

The child, who sustained serious injuries, was admitted to the One-Stop Crisis Centre at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital for treatment.

According to the case statement, the child, who lives with their mother at a rented house, was given Tk 30 to buy candy from a shop below their residence. When the child did not return home promptly, the mother went downstairs and found the shopkeeper undressing and assaulting the child.

Upon witnessing the incident, the mother screamed and rescued the child.

The victim was first taken to Barlekha Upazila Health Complex before being transferred to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment, said OC Abul Kashem.