A pharmacy owner in Savar’s Ashulia was detained and beaten by locals on Wednesday after allegedly raping an 11-year-old girl in his shop.

Police later arrested the suspect following a case filed by the victim’s father.

The accused was identified as Shafiqul Islam, 40, owner of a pharmacy in Kumkumari Bazar.

According to Ashulia Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Tariqul Islam, the incident occurred around 11:00am when the girl went to Shafiqul’s pharmacy to buy medicine for her mother. Shafiqul allegedly kept her waiting for half an hour before taking her into the back room of the pharmacy, where he locked the door and raped her.

When the child screamed, locals rushed to the spot, detained Shafiqul, and beat him. Police arrived shortly after, took the accused into custody, and sent the girl to Savar Upazila Health Complex for treatment.

Shafiqul Islam has been arrested in the case, the OC confirmed.