A young woman has reportedly been gang raped while visiting a tea estate in Madhabpur Upazila, prompting police to arrest one suspect and launch a manhunt for another.

According to police sources and the case statement, the incident took place on Monday afternoon (March 23) when the victim traveled from Madhabpur market to Surma Tea Estate with a male acquaintance by a CNG-run auto-rickshaw. The two were walking inside the estate area later in the evening.

At one point, two men armed with sticks allegedly chased them, claiming to be robbers. Fearing for his safety, the man accompanying the woman fled the scene.

The complaint states that the assailants then forcibly took the woman to a secluded spot inside the tea estate, where they threatened and sexually assaulted her. She was also physically assaulted, and her gold earrings were taken.

Later, the victim’s companion informed police, who reached the scene and rescued the woman. During the operation, law enforcement detained one suspect, identified as Md. Jasim Mia (34) from Shahjahanpur union’s Parmanandapur village. Police said the victim’s stolen earrings were recovered from his possession.

The second accused, Md. Shaheen Mia, managed to escape and remains at large. Authorities said that preliminary interrogation of the detained suspect suggests his involvement in the crime, and the identity of the fugitive has also been confirmed.

The survivor has been sent to Habiganj Sadar Adhunik Hospital for medical examination. A case has been filed under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act along with relevant sections of the Penal Code, and an investigation is ongoing.

Officer-in-Charge Md. Sohel Rana of Madhabpur Police Station said the arrested suspect has previous allegations related to similar offences. Police have applied to send him to jail through the court while efforts continue to arrest the remaining suspect.