Two arrested in Bangladesh in gang rape case

Bangladesh police have arrested two suspects accused of masterminding the gang-rape of a woman in a running microbus by five men here last week.

Mufti Mahmud Hassan, spokesperson of Bangladesh's elite force Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) told bdnews24.com that one of those nabbed was 'Lovlu', who was driving the vehicle into which the girl was dragged and then raped.

The other person arrested has been identified as 'Ashraf' alias 'Tushar'.

Hassan said both were arrested late on Tuesday night.

"These two masterminded the gang rape. Both have confessed during preliminary interrogation that they raped the girl after dragging her into the vehicle," Hassan said.

The woman, who belongs to the Garo tribe, has said in her police complaint that she was raped by five men.

Hassan said more details about the arrests would be provided.

Another RAB official, on condition of anonymity, said 'Lovlu' was arrested on Tuesday night from Dhaka's Gulshan area, while Tushar was nabbed from Patuakhali's Kuakata.

The woman, in her early twenties, worked as a salesperson at a clothing outlet in Jamuna Future Park.

She was dragged into the microbus while she was waiting for transport to reach home after work.

Those in the microbus took turns to rape her and the orgy continued for 90 minutes before she was dumped off at Uttara.

Her family filed a case with Vatara Police Station the next day. Signs of forced sex were found when she was physically examined the day after.

Meanwhile, police have been blamed for negligence in accepting the case and a case by a rights groups has been filed in the high court.

The court asked police to explain there was delay in accepting the case and why it should not be asked to compensate the victim.

It has also asked the police to explain as to why steps should not be taken against some of the police personnel for negligence.