Village arbitration allowed an influential youth to get away with the allegation of attempting to rape a madrasa girl in Pachashi of Gouripur upazila.

Sajib Mondol, 19, son of Abdul Kadir of Pachashi village, allegedly attempted to rape the 12-year-old girl when she was alone in the house on Monday afternoon.

As the victim raised a hue and cry, neighbours rushed to the scene and rescued her. However, Sajib managed to escape.

Sajib's grandfather Lal Mia Mondol, a former Union Parishad member, called for arbitration to settle the matter that night and allegedly threatened the victim's family not to inform police.

At the arbitration, Lal Mia and his men offered 20 decimals of land to the girl's family, said Abdullah Al Amin Johnny, chairman of Ramgopalpur UP.

The chairman admitted the incident and said the victim's family did not inform him about it and the matter was settled locally.

Locals allege Sajib's family is trying to cover up the rape attempt luring the victim's family.

The victim's father, a day labourer, said he was in Dhaka when the incident took place and did not attend the arbitration.

He alleged Lal Mia forced him and other members of his family to put their signatures on a blank stamp paper.

“We are poor and have no power to avoid the decision of the influential arbitrators,” he lamented.

About the land, he said it was not handed over to them.

Lal Mia could not be contacted as he did not receive any calls.

Delwar Ahmed, officer-in-charge of Gouripur police, said they heard about the matter, but the victim's family did not file any complaint.

The OC said he sent a team to the victim's house yesterday but no-one was there.