Police begin investigation into Hatia rape case

FE Team | Published: February 16, 2026 00:21:11

Police have launched an investigation following allegations of a housewife being raped in Noakhali's Hatia over a dispute related to the Feb 12 elections, reports bdnews24.com.
Additional Superintendent of Police (Finance and Administration) Abu Tayyab Md Arif Hossain said they have not received any written or verbal complaint about the incident, but began an immediate inquiry after the allegation spread on social media.
The woman has been admitted to Noakhali General Hospital. She alleged that she was raped for voting for the NCP candidate.
According to her, three men entered her home around 11pm on Friday night after the election. Her husband was tied up, and one of the men raped her while the other two stood guard.
However, the BNP activist accused in the case said that at the time the alleged incident in Chanandi Union took place, he was admitted to Noakhali General Hospital. He said he had been beaten after refusing to work with the NCP.
Police say preliminary findings indicate two separate clashes took place at the location, but locals could not confirm any rape. Hospital records related to the woman's treatment also contain incoherent information.
Hospital Superintendent Dr Md Fariduddin Chowdhury said several people, including the woman, came to the hospital on Saturday afternoon for treatment after getting injured in a clash. About three hours later, around 5pm, the woman returned to the emergency department and alleged she was raped.
As a case has yet to be filed, the hospital authorities have not been able to conduct a medical examination of the woman.
Since both assault and rape are considered police cases, the woman has been kept at the hospital's labour complex, said Dr Fariduddin.
On Saturday evening, NCP's Abdul Hannan Masud, elected from Noakhali-6 (Hatia), and district Jamaat-e-Islami chief Ishaq Khandaker visited her at the hospital.
Hannan Masud alleged that the woman was raped for voting for the NCP and also criticised the hospital and police administration.
Asked about the matter, ASP Arif Hossain said senior officials from the police, district administration and health department have already visited the woman at the hospital.
He said locals confirmed two incidents of clashes in the area during preliminary inquiries but could not provide any information about rape. Police will take further legal steps if a written complaint is filed.
Meanwhile, after the rape allegation spread on social media, the accused BNP activist Rahman Hossain went live on Facebook to deny the claims.
He said he had worked for BNP candidate Mahbuber Rahman Shamim in the election and was pressured to switch sides and work for the NCP.
"These allegations are fabricated and false. A conspiracy is being hatched against me. I was offered millions of taka to join the NCP," he said.
Rahman claimed that he was admitted to Noakhali General Hospital at the time the alleged incident took place.
Hospital records show the alleged time of the rape as 11pm on Feb 13. Rahman presented a treatment document showing he received medical care for physical assault that same day.
When asked Dr Fariduddin said Rahman Hossain arrived at the hospital's emergency department around 10:30pm on Feb 13, claiming he had been beaten around 7pm. He was given treatment there.
The alleged crime scene in Chanandi union is about one and a half hours away from Noakhali General Hospital.
Hatia BNP member Md Alauddin alleged that political rivals were trying to tarnish the party's image by staging a "false rape drama."