Faridpur child home rape: Girl found pregnant after health complications, accused arrested

A sixth-grader living at the Government Child Family (Girls) in Faridpur was found to be 27 weeks and two days pregnant after she complained of severe stomach pain, leading to the discovery of a rape allegation and the arrest of a 54-year-old man.

A case was filed with Kotwali Police Station on 6 July by Mohammad Arif Hossain, assistant director of the Faridpur Department of Social Services and superintendent of the child home, in connection with the incident.

Confirming the matter, Kotwali Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Mahmudul Hasan said police arrested the accused immediately after the case was filed and produced him before the court. The court later sent him to jail.

He said medical examinations, including a DNA test, are being conducted as part of the investigation. "Once the tests are completed, we will submit the charge sheet to the court," he added.

According to the case statement, the girl, who was residing at the government child home and studying in Class VI, suddenly developed severe stomach pain on 6 July.

Caregiver Tania Tajreen informed Arif after noticing the girl's deteriorating condition. She was later taken to Aftab Digital Diagnostic Centre in Faridpur for medical examination, where doctors found that she was 27 weeks and two days pregnant.

The case statement said the girl studied at a school in the Tepakhola area and travelled between the child home and school. On 5 January this year, at around 4:30pm, Md Wahid Sheikh, 54, owner of a local tailoring shop in the area, allegedly lured her with chocolates and raped her.

The statement added that the accused allegedly raped her multiple times. The matter came to light after the girl developed health complications on 6 July.

Police later arrested Wahid Sheikh, son of late Abdul Aziz Sheikh of Adampur village under Faridpur Sadar.

Meanwhile, five officials and employees of the Department of Social Services have been suspended over alleged negligence in ensuring the safety of the girl and other residents at the institution.

The suspended officials are Assistant Superintendent Md Habibur Rahman, caregivers Shamsunnahar Akter and Tania Tajreen, Matron-cum-Nurse Moni Akter, and Computer Operator Abir Das.

The suspension order was issued yesterday (8 July) by Md Saiful Islam, deputy secretary and director (administration and finance) of the Department of Social Services.

The officials were suspended under Section 39(1) of the Government Service Act, 2018 and Rule 12(1) of the Government Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 2018.

During the suspension period, they will receive subsistence allowance as per government rules and will have to report to the Dhaka office of the Department of Social Services.

The order also mentioned that the suspended officials have been attached to the Department of Social Services headquarters in Dhaka as their assigned workplace during the suspension period.

Faridpur Deputy Director of Social Services Mohammad Ehiyatuzzaman said the girl has been kept at a Social Services Department safe home following a court order. 

Five officials have been stand-released due to negligence of duty and failure to perform their responsibilities, he added.