Police yesterday arrested a guardian of the prime accused in the case for instigating suicide of schoolgirl Senjuti Aktar at Baro Rogunathpur village in Padri Shibpur union of Bakerganj upazila under Barisal district on October 21 night.
The arrestee, Hashem Khan, 58, maternal grandfather of Saiful Islam, the No 1 accused in the case, had given threat to the victim's family members, said Shawkat Anwar Islam, the newly appointed officer in charge (OC) of Bakerganj police station.
"Senjuti committed suicide following stalking and abduction attempt by the accused. I demand immediate arrest and punishment of the criminals," said Senjuti's mother Hafiza Begum.
Some local delinquents, who often teased the girl and made indecent proposals to her, tried to abduct her from her house premises on October 13, said family members and locals.
"Barisal City Corporation Mayor Shawkat Hossain Hiron and district Superintendent of Police Devdas Bhattacharya have visited Senjuti's village home. They assured safety and security of the victim's family and arrest and speedy trial of the accused," Bakerganj OC Shawkat Anwar Islam said yesterday.
"Anyone trying to save or shelter the accused or threaten the victim's family members will face legal action," said Mayor Shawkat Hossain Hiron.
Police has been deployed at the house and round the clock patrol arranged in the area to ensure safety and security of the victim's family members, said SP Devdas Bhattacharya.
Saiful Islam, Sabuj Khan, Shamim, Nayan Mridha, Nesaruddin, Rajib and Md Nasir, who are locally known as delinquents, and Nayon Mridha's parents Faruk Mridha and Ashru Begum were made accused in the case lodged by Hafiza Begum on Sunday, police said.