Staff Correspondent
Two men have been sentenced to two years in prison by a mobile court for attempting to sexually assault and rape a female student of the Anthropology Department at Comilla University (CuU) on a moving bus. Three other suspects involved in the incident remain at large.
The incident took place on Friday morning aboard a Saint Martin Paribahan bus (Dhaka Metro-B 15-7166). According to reports, the victim boarded the bus from Kotbari Bishwa Road for Dhaka. However, instead of taking the scheduled route, the bus diverted toward Chauddagram. At one point, the driver, helper, and three others threatened the student with a knife, looted her jewelry and cash, and attempted to rape her. When she resisted, the assailants tied her hands and legs and tried to throw her off the bus. Following her plea, they instead took her to a local hotel.
Later, local residents and university students were alerted. They rescued the victim—still tied up—and caught two of the perpetrators on the spot. The other three managed to escape.
Police were called to the scene, but tensions escalated when students demanded that the culprits be brought to campus. Agitated students blocked the Dhaka–Chattogram Highway around noon, causing severe traffic congestion. Even the army intervened but struggled to restore order. The blockade was lifted only after university authorities assured justice.
The detained men—Md. Hossain Ali (25) and Md. Ali Hossain (23)—were sentenced to two years’ imprisonment each by the mobile court. The fugitives have been identified as “Pichchi” Russell (32), Nur Alam, and Saurav. The university authorities confirmed that a case on charges of sexual assault and attempted rape will be filed.
Rubaiya Khanom, UNO of Comilla Sadar South, said: “We proposed immediate sentencing through a mobile court, and eventually the students agreed.”
Superintendent of Police Nazir Ahmed Khan added: “Efforts are underway to arrest the remaining three within 24 hours.”
Professor Dr. Md. Haidar Ali, Vice-Chancellor of Comilla University, said: “This was a barbaric, medieval-style attempt to violate our student. Two perpetrators have been caught; the others will also be arrested soon. Police have assured that the charge sheet will be filed within a month to ensure justice.”