Medical tests show no evidence of rape in Khagrachhari girl

Staff Reporter :

The medical examination of the Marma schoolgirl in Khagrachhari – whose alleged rape triggered protests and violent clashes that claimed three lives – has revealed no signs of sexual assault.

Doctors at Khagrachhari District Sadar Hospital carried out a 10-point forensic test on the eighth-grader, with all results coming back normal. The report was signed by a three-member medical board headed by gynecologist Dr Joya Chakma, a copy of which has been obtained by The Business Standard.

Speaking to journalists, Dr Chakma said that while she acknowledged the report’s findings, it was an official and confidential document, so she could not elaborate further. Attempts to contact Khagrachhari Civil Surgeon Dr Mohammad Saber for comments were unsuccessful.

According to the case details, the alleged incident took place on 23 September, when the 14-year-old girl, on her way home after private tuition, was reportedly gang-raped in Ward-1 of Khagrachhari municipality.

She was later discovered unconscious in a nearby field around 11pm and rushed to the hospital.

Her father filed a case with Khagrachhari Sadar Police Station the following day against unknown perpetrators. Police later arrested one suspect and placed him on remand.

In response, the organisation Jumma Chhatra-Janata enforced an indefinite blockade in Khagrachhari on 27 September, demanding justice for the girl.

The next day, violent clashes erupted between rival groups in the Ramsu Bazar area of Guimara upazila, leaving three people dead from gunshot wounds and 16 others injured. During the unrest, arson attacks destroyed about 85 shops and homes, causing damages estimated at Tk 25 crore.

That night, Jumma Chhatra-Janata extended the blockade to cover the entire Chittagong Hill Tracts. Following a meeting with the local administration, the organisation withdrew the programme on 30 September.