Rohigya refugee and rape victim lives in fear in Bengaluru

A 20-year-old domestic help, who is a Rohingya refugee and mother of two minor children, was allegedly raped by her neighbour in Bengaluru at knife point on November 9. She is now living in fear as the accused and their family are allegedly threatening them to withdraw the complaint.

The woman, who has been living in Bengaluru for the last five years with her husband, a ragpicker, and two minor children, told The Hindu that the accused and his family members were offering ₹5 lakh to withdraw the case, failing which they have threatened to kill her.

“I do not want the money. I want justice. I hope police will arrest the remaining accused who are on the run,” she said.

Recalling the incident, she alleged that the accused — Rasel, Fakhrul, Suhak, and Alameen, who are allegedly Bangladeshi migrants working for a garbage collection unit — had a rivalry with her husband and brother-in-law, and assaulted them over a dispute.

Due to this, the duo sustained injuries and were taken to a hospital. She was alone at home with her two minor children when the accused allegedly barged into her house around 2 a.m. They allegedly forced her to accompany them to the hospital. “They assured to take care of all the medical expenses and asked me to go along with them. I refused saying I am with my children and would come the next morning,” the woman claimed.

However, the accused spoke to their associate, identified as Irfan, and allegedly forced her into a car and took her to an isolated place and raped her at knife point.

The accused later allegedly dropped the woman home and allegedly threatened her with dire consequences if she revealed the alleged crime to anyone. The woman later lodged a complaint.

Based on the complaint, police registered a case of gang rape against the accused and arrested two of them while the others are on the run.

The family, having United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) identity card as Rohigya refugees, were living in Bengaluru for the last five years. There are around 150 families living in different parts of Bengaluru doing menial jobs to eke out a living.

Kaleemullah R., a city-based social activist, said that the reason behind the attack was the rivalry between Rohigya refugees and Bangladeshi illegal immigrants.

The police assured necessary action when the matter was brought to their notice.