Trafficked and Pushed into Prostitution: The Story of a 14-Year-old Bangladeshi Girl Abused by 200 men in 3 Months

August 14, 2025

New Delhi: In August 2024, the streets of Bangladesh erupted in protest. What began as a student movement against job quotas quickly grew into a nationwide uprising, ending Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year rule.

Her resignation brought change but not calm. Interim leader Muhammad Yunus now faces a nation plagued by mob violence, attacks on Hindus, and rising crimes against women and children.

Inflation remains high, jobs are scarce, and restrictions on free speech persist. Since Hasina’s fall, the period marks a fragile transition, with over 230 deaths post-Hasina and calls for reform amid fears of deepening unrest.

The Recent Assault on a 14-Year-Old Bangladeshi Girl

In a harrowing case that highlights cross-border trafficking and violence against minors, a 14-year-old Bangladeshi girl was rescued in Maharashtra, India, after alleging sexual abuse by over 200 men in three months. The incident underscores the vulnerabilities of young girls in the region amid Bangladesh’s ongoing instability.

What Happened?

The girl, who ran away from home after failing a school subject, was lured by a female acquaintance who trafficked her illegally across the border into India. She was first taken to Nadiad in Gujarat, where the abuse began, before being moved to various locations for forced sex work. Police suspect she was given hormonal injections to induce premature puberty and was sedated to control her.

The Rescue

On July 26, 2025, the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit of Mira-Bhayander Vasai-Virar Police, aided by NGOs Exodus Road India Foundation and Harmony Foundation, raided a flat in Naigaon, Vasai, Maharashtra. The girl was among five victims rescued, three of whom are Bangladeshi nationals. She was placed in a juvenile detention center, where she gave her statement.

Her Ordeal

The victim endured extreme cruelty: branded with a hot spoon, given sedatives, and forced into prostitution across cities like Navi Mumbai, Pune, Gujarat, and Karnataka. She claimed abuse by at least 200 men, a figure police are verifying. Activists note this fits patterns where traffickers raise kidnapped minors for exploitation.

The Accused

Ten individuals have been arrested, including main accused Mohammad Khalid Abdul Bapari (33), who coordinated victim movements; agents Juber Harun Sheikh (38) and Shamim Gafar Sardar (39); and two Bangladeshi women (aged 33 and 32) who facilitated the illegal border crossing. Six arrestees are Bangladeshi nationals.

The Details

The case is registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, POCSO Act, Juvenile Justice Act, Foreigners Act, and Passport Act. Police Commissioner Niket Kaushik vows to dismantle the network. Activists demand tracing all 200 abusers. The racket spanned states, exploiting vulnerable teens.

Crimes in Bangladesh After Hasina’s Fall

Since Sheikh Hasina’s exit on August 5, 2024, Bangladesh has faced a crime surge amid a power vacuum. Mob violence, attacks on minorities, and crimes against women and children have skyrocketed, worsened by economic struggles and weak governance.

Key Statistics on Violence and Crime

• Mob Lynching and Murders: 637 lynching deaths in the year post-Hasina (up 1,250% from 51 in 2023), including 41 police officers. 128 mob killings in 2024, 96 post-August. Murders rose from 231 in January 2024 to 294 in January 2025, totaling 1,930 from January-June 2025.
• Attacks on Minorities: 2,010-2,442 incidents against Hindus across 45-52 districts since August 2024; 5 Hindus killed (2 AL-linked). Over 1,068 homes/businesses looted; 22 worship sites damaged. Ahmadiyyas faced 137 home and 6 mosque attacks. Ethnic minorities saw 10+ land grab incidents.
• Violence Against Women and Children: 774 rapes in September-October 2024; 11,008 cases of violence against women/children from January-June 2025. Abductions doubled, with sexual assaults surging.
• General Crime Wave: 366 robberies and 242 muggings in January-June 2025 (highest in 6 years). 21 extrajudicial killings in 2024, 12 post-August. Over 230 deaths since August 5, including minorities.
• Other Impacts: 1,494 monuments vandalized; 141 mob violence cases January-May 2025 (52 killed, 289 injured). 19 extrajudicial killings since August 8, 2024.

Bangladesh is facing one of its most turbulent periods in recent history. Political upheaval, economic hardship, and a breakdown of law and order have created a climate where violence, trafficking, and crimes against vulnerable groups thrive.

The above case is a stark reminder of the dangers amid this instability. Without urgent reforms to restore security, protect minorities, and revive the economy, the nation risks sinking deeper into chaos, threatening hopes for a peaceful and inclusive future.