A video circulating on social media has sparked widespread public outrage. It shows a helpless woman believed to be suffering from mental illness lying on a sidewalk while being sexually assaulted. According to the source text, the alleged perpetrator in the Cumilla incident is identified as a local man named Khokon, also known by the nickname “Juari Lengra Khokon,” who is alleged to be affiliated with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
The source alleges that individuals associated with the ruling political establishment have become increasingly emboldened, drawing comparisons to the widespread allegations of violence against women that followed the 2001 political transition. It argues that political patronage and the influence of power have created an environment in which perpetrators act without fear of legal consequences.
Police action was initiated only after CCTV footage from Bijoypur Bazar in Barpara went viral on Facebook. The alleged assault reportedly occurred on Thursday, yet law enforcement intervention did not take place until Saturday. The source questions the delay and suggests that the alleged political affiliation of the suspect may have contributed to the slow response.
The incident has reignited concerns over women’s safety in public spaces. The source argues that if even a sidewalk at night cannot provide safety for vulnerable women, political slogans and promises of national progress lose their meaning. It further contends that a culture of sexual violence coupled with perceived impunity threatens public confidence in the justice system.
According to the source, is being asked by many citizens: when will justice be delivered, and will political influence once again allow those accused of such crimes to evade accountability?