Three arrested for molesting, assaulting female journalist in Banasree

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB-3) has arrested three individuals, including the prime suspect Shoib Rahman Zishan, 25, for sexually harassing and physically assaulting a female journalist in Dhaka’s Banasree area.

RAB-3’s Senior Assistant Superintendent of Police (Media), Sanad Barua, confirmed the arrests on Thursday (April 3). The other two detainees are Md Raisul Islam, 21, and Md Kausar Hossain, 21.

On the night of April 2, a case was filed with Rampura Police Station under the Prevention of Oppression of Women and Children Act, following the widespread circulation of the incident on social media. 

Acting on intelligence, RAB-3 swiftly launched an operation to locate the suspects.

Shoib Rahman Zishan was arrested from Meradia, Rampura late Thursday night.

Based on his information, Md Raisul Islam was arrested at Bailey Road, and Md Kausar Hossain was detained from Gendaria early Friday morning.

Legal proceedings against the accused are underway at Rampura Police Station.

According to the victim, the incident occurred on Wednesday (April 2) at around 8:00pm, when she was at a juice shop on Road 3, E-Block, Banasree, with her younger brother Rishad.

She said,"A group of local youths started harassing me. When my brother protested, they attacked him. As I tried to intervene, they molested and assaulted me. They were acting as if they had the right to do so. Even after the assault, they arrogantly said, ‘Yes, we raped you, what will you do about it?’”

She later posted about the incident on Facebook, sharing images of the attackers. 

In her post, she described how the suspects threatened her, physically assaulted both her and her brother, and verbally abused her in front of onlookers.

The victim urged authorities to ensure swift justice, saying that women should feel safe in their own neighbourhoods without fear of harassment or violence.