On February 27, a video was circulated online claiming that a 14-year-old Hindu girl in Balapara village, Dimla Upazila, Nilphamari, was gang-raped by two Islamist individuals named Abdul Kuddus and Saminur Rahman. The video also alleged that the rapists kidnapped the teenager and took her to a maize field, where they committed the crime.
Watch the videos circulated on X: here (archive), here (archive), and here (archive).
Watch the videos circulated on Facebook: here (archive) and here (archive).
Fact Check
An investigation by the Rumor Scanner Team found that while a rape incident did occur in Dimla Upazila, Nilphamari, on February 27, the victim was not a Hindu. Additionally, the rapists had no affiliation with any Islamist political group.
Upon reviewing the circulated video, the teenage victim is visible, though her face has been blurred using technology. Responding to a person behind the camera, she states her name, which is a Muslim name. She also explains that while fetching water, the accused individuals forcibly gagged her and took her to a maize field.
A report published on March 1 by the news website Somoyer Konthosor, titled “Schoolgirl Gang-Raped in Nilphamari, Two Friends Arrested,” (link), confirms the incident.
According to the report, on the night of February 27, a seventh-grade schoolgirl was gang-raped in Chhatnai Balapara village under Balapara Union, Dimla Upazila. That night, police arrested two individuals, Saminur Rahman and Abdul Kuddus. The report further states that the girl was fetching water from a tube well when the two accused, who were lurking nearby, tied her hands and mouth and took her to an adjacent maize field, where they raped her in turns.
However, the report does not mention the girl’s religious identity. Other media outlets, including Desh Rupantor and Ajker Patrika, also do not mention her religion.
To verify further, Rumor Scanner contacted Dimla Police Station Inspector (Investigation) Md. Fazle Elahi. He confirmed that the victim, the rapists, and the accomplice were all Muslim. He also stated that among the two arrested, one was an accomplice in the crime. Additionally, he clarified that they had no connection with any Islamist political party.
Conclusion
Therefore, the claim circulating online that a 14-year-old Hindu girl was kidnapped and gang-raped by Islamists in Nilphamari is misleading.
Sources
- Somoyer Konthosor Website: Schoolgirl Gang-Raped in Nilphamari, Two Friends Arrested
- Statement of “MD. Fazle Elahi,” Police Inspector, Dimla Thana
