In a deeply disturbing case that has sparked nationwide outrage, a 21-year-old Hindu woman from Cumilla was raped at knifepoint by Fazor Ali, a local leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), while she was alone in her home with her two children. The assault took place on the night of June 26 in Baherchar Pachkitta village, under Ramchandrapur Dakshin union of Muradnagar Upazila.
According to her statement to police, the victim, Bipni Bala, was alone in her father’s house after her parents went to attend a village fair. Her husband, Bidhu Chandra Das, works in Dubai and was not in the country at the time of the incident.
Horrific Attack in the Dead of Night
Around 11 PM on June 26, Bipni alleges that Fazor Ali, whom she had earlier accused of stalking and harassing her, broke into the house by tampering with the door lock. She was sleeping beside her young son and daughter when Ali entered her room with a knife. “He threatened to kill me and my children if I screamed,” she said in her official complaint. “He pressed the knife to my throat, gagged me, and raped me.”
After the brutal assault, the accused warned her to remain silent. Despite this, Bipni screamed for help, and neighbours rushed in. They caught and thrashed Fazor Ali on the spot. During the chaos, a few individuals reportedly recorded a video showing parts of the assault, including moments when the woman was partially unclothed. Fazor Ali managed to escape the scene before police arrived.
Police Action and Public Outcry
Following a formal complaint from the survivor, police launched an immediate investigation and arrested Fazor Ali. Four others were also arrested for allegedly sharing the graphic video on social media. They have been identified as:
Md. Ali Suman (30), son of Md. Abdul Hayad
Seo Babu (28), son of Alam Mia
Shariz (28), son-in-law of Ghulam Mustafa
Md. Safir Hasan (26), son of Moshe Ali
They have been charged under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, 2000, and various provisions of Bangladesh’s cybercrime laws.
In response to the viral video, the Bangladesh High Court ordered the removal of all explicit content related to the incident from social media. The court also directed authorities to ensure the survivor’s protection and provide her with proper medical and psychological support.
Sudden Twist: Survivor Seeks to Withdraw Case
However, in a shocking turn of events on Sunday (June 29), Bipni announced her intention to withdraw the complaint. Standing before local media, she said, “I will withdraw the case filed against Fazor Ali. I want peace, not a trial.”
When asked further, she stated that the decision came after discussions with her husband. “My husband said, ‘What’s lost is lost. A case won’t restore your honour. Forget it.’ So I’m withdrawing the case of my own free will,” she said.
This statement has raised serious concerns among rights activists and legal experts, as it is common in such cases for survivors, particularly those from religious minority communities, to face coercion, intimidation, or social pressure to drop charges.
Bangladesh Rape Case
This woman is the same victim who was raped by BNP party leader Fazor Ali in Comilla district.
She describes how local Islamists and party leaders are now threatening her and her family to withdraw the complaint or face dire consequences.It takes immense… pic.twitter.com/g68lAX6Phd
— Subhi Vishwakarma (@subhi_karma) June 29, 2025
Concerns Over Minority Safety in Bangladesh
The attack has once again thrown a spotlight on the continued targeting of Bangladesh’s Hindu minority, especially in rural regions. Under the current caretaker government led by Muhammad Yunus, cases of sexual violence, land grabbing, and communal harassment against Hindus have seen a worrying uptick.
As of now, the Muradnagar police have not confirmed whether the investigation will be closed.
Meanwhile, outrage continues on social media and among international rights groups, with demands for justice and protection for the victim. Prominent spiritual leader and ISKCON spokesperson Radharamn Das shared a powerful message on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “This fearless woman, raped and shamed, still stands tall. She is not afraid. She will fight till her rapists are destroyed.”
As the legal proceedings unfold, the larger question remains, how many more attacks must the Hindu community endure before real change comes to Bangladesh’s justice system and political culture?
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