Facts of the Taufik Hidayat Case: Woman Held Captive and Tortured for Three Years

A woman identified as YTR (29) was held captive and tortured by her boyfriend, Taufik Hidayat, for nearly three years. The case came to light after a tip-off led the victim’s family to Hasan Sadikin Hospital (RSHS) in Bandung, where she was found with severe injuries to her head, face, legs, and hands. Her family had been unaware of her whereabouts for the entire three-year period.

The victim’s younger brother, Syahrul Ulum (26), stated that his sister suffered permanent injuries, including blindness and the partial loss of her lips, and was scheduled to undergo reconstructive surgery. The couple had reportedly been living together since 2023, during which time the victim never returned home.

According to the boarding house keeper, Resa Rohendi, the suspect and victim had only been renting the ground-floor unit in Cinunuk, Cileunyi, since early March. Resa was asked by the suspect to take the victim to hospital using a ride-hailing service, while the suspect followed on a motorbike. The suspect instructed Resa to claim the victim had fallen in the bathroom, but upon arrival at the hospital, Resa told the truth, prompting the suspect to flee. Resa later reported that the suspect and several others threatened him and his family, allegedly carrying sharp weapons.

Resa’s wife, Mulyati, noted that the victim never left the room and that the suspect always locked the door, even when leaving briefly. While she never heard screams, she frequently heard banging sounds against the walls. She described the suspect as temperamental and prone to suddenly picking fights.

Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin confirmed the government would cover all medical expenses for the victim, who is receiving intensive care at RSHS Bandung and will undergo facial reconstruction surgery.

Following a manhunt, West Java Police named Taufik Hidayat as a suspect. He was eventually tracked through a transaction record and arrested in a housing complex in Ciparay, Bandung Regency. During his flight, he moved locations hourly, briefly fled to Tangerang, and admitted to consuming alcohol before his capture. Police tests showed he was negative for drugs and in good health. Taufik confessed to the abuse, stating he had a habit of drinking alcohol which led to the violence.