Police in Pabna have arrested a 41-year-old man named Mojaharul Islam on charges of raping a three-year-old girl in the Radhanagar area of the city. The incident reportedly occurred on Monday evening at a mess in the Radhanagar Degree Bottola area. After the assault, the accused fled but was later apprehended that night from Dashpara in Khanmarich Union under Bhangura upazila. The child’s mother filed a case at Pabna Sadar Police Station on Tuesday, and the station’s officer-in-charge, Tarikul Islam, confirmed the arrest.

According to police and local sources, the victim’s mother worked as a cook at the mess where the incident took place. While she was busy in the kitchen, Mojaharul allegedly lured the child into his room under the pretext of collecting mosquito coils and then assaulted her. The child’s screams drew her mother to the scene, prompting the accused to flee. The injured child was taken to Pabna General Hospital’s One-Stop Crisis Centre for treatment.

Police said Mojaharul confessed to the crime during preliminary questioning. He has been charged and will be sent to jail through the court process.