A 25-year-old woman was allegedly gang-raped late Sunday night while returning home from a religious event in Tazumuddin upazila of Bhola. Police have detained one suspect as the investigation continues.

According to family members, the woman — a mother of one from Darichandpur Shyestakandi village under Chandpur union — had attended the Tirodhan Utsab (kirtan) of Anil Babaji at Aralia village on the afternoon of February 22.

Law enforcement officials said that around 9:00pm, she boarded a battery-run autorickshaw to travel home. The vehicle was reportedly occupied by the driver and two other individuals. When it reached the Dhopabari area of Shashiganj village, the suspects allegedly forced her into a nearby betel-nut garden, where the incident occurred.

Residents discovered the woman in a critically injured condition early Monday morning and immediately took her to Tazumuddin Upazila Health Complex. She was later referred to the 250-bed Bhola General Hospital for advanced treatment. Medical sources confirmed she suffered significant bleeding and physical trauma and remains under close observation.

Speaking to reporters, Officer-in-Charge Abdus Salam of Tazumuddin Police Station said police collected evidence from the scene and recorded the victim’s statement. “A formal case is being processed in accordance with the law. We have detained one individual and are conducting operations to arrest the others involved,” he said.

As of Tuesday, nearly 36 hours after the alleged crime, police said efforts are focused on ensuring a thorough investigation and due legal process.

The incident has caused widespread concern in the locality, with residents demanding swift justice and exemplary punishment for those found guilty.

Authorities have urged the public to refrain from spreading unverified information while the investigation remains ongoing.