Two youths sent to jail custody on charges of raping autistic teen in Bandarban

A Bandarban court has sent two youths into jail custody for allegedly raping an autistic teenager in the region’s Naikhongchhari Upazila.

Senior Judicial Magistrate Md Nurul Haque issued the order on Friday, according to the General Registration Officer, or GRO Biswajit Das.

The accused are Md Selim, 23, and Matiur Rahman, whose age remains unknown.

According to police, rape allegations surfaced after a 15-year-old neurodivergent girl belonging to the Marma community was sexually assaulted in the Baishari Union on Oct 17.

The survivor’s elder brother later filed a case against Selim and Matiur at the Naikhongchhari Police Station.

According to Biswajit, the teenager’s mother had left her at home to visit the neighbourhood temple on the occasion of Prabarana Purnima.

“The people of the neighbourhood were making lanterns and busy with other work,” said Biswajit.

“Around 5:45pm, the girl climbed down the stairs of the neighbourhood canal to wash her hands and feet. At this time, she was followed by the accused. Matiur stood guard at the stairs. And Selim took the minor to the bamboo field and raped her.”

The girl was later found by a neighbour who had seen her walk towards the canal.

“When she asked why she was crying, the girl told her about the assault. Matiur was handed over to police after the people caught him. Police arrested Selim around 2am after a raid.”