Police in Sonaimuri have arrested two men on allegations of raping the wife of an expatriate, secretly recording videos of the incidents, and later using the footage to blackmail the victim and her family. The suspects, identified as Md Shafiqul Islam Soikat, 28, and Ibrahim Khalil Jewel, 35, were produced before the Noakhali Judicial Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, according to Sonaimuri Police Station authorities.
The arrests were carried out on Tuesday night. Police detained Soikat from his business establishment, “Dubai Burqa House”, in Sonaimuri Bazaar. At the same time, Jewel was arrested from his “Jewel Furniture” shop in the same upazila.
According to local residents and police sources, the victim became acquainted with Soikat while working at a burqa shop. Over time, the two developed a close relationship. Investigators allege that Soikat repeatedly established physical relations with the woman by promising marriage.
Police said that during this period, Soikat secretly recorded videos of the encounters. The footage was later allegedly used to blackmail the victim. Investigators claim that he sent the videos to the woman’s expatriate husband and informed him of the incidents. The victim’s family alleges that Soikat subsequently extorted a total of Tk 370,000 through intimidation and threats. He is also accused of demanding an additional Tk 500,000 while threatening to distribute the videos on social media if the payment was not made.
The case later took another turn when the victim reportedly sought help from a neighbour, Ibrahim Khalil Jewel, in an attempt to stop the harassment. However, according to the allegations, Jewel obtained the videos and also began blackmailing the woman. He is accused of forwarding the footage to her husband and members of her in-laws’ family.
The victim allegedly attempted suicide on 7 June amid the ongoing pressure and intimidation. Local residents rescued her and arranged for her admission to hospital for treatment.
The allegations prompted local authorities to intervene. Upazila Nirbahi Officer Nasrin Akter confirmed that after receiving the complaint, the matter was referred to the police for legal action. She stated that a case had been filed at Sonaimuri Police Station and that legal proceedings were underway.
Police officials said the investigation is continuing and that additional suspects could face action if evidence establishes their involvement.
Case Summary
| Subject | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Sonaimuri, Noakhali |
| Main Allegations | Rape, secret video recording, blackmail and extortion |
| Victim | Wife of an expatriate worker |
| Arrested Suspects | Md Shafiqul Islam Soikat (28), Ibrahim Khalil Jewel (35) |
| Amount Allegedly Extorted | Tk 370,000 |
| Additional Demand | Tk 500,000 |
| Date of Victim’s Suicide Attempt | 7 June |
| Court Appearance | Sent to Noakhali Judicial Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday |
| Investigating Authority | Sonaimuri Police Station |
Officer-in-Charge Kabir Hossain of Sonaimuri Police Station said the two accused were arrested following the complaint and were subsequently sent to court. He added that investigators would take legal action against any other individuals found to have been involved in the alleged offences.
The case remains under investigation, and authorities have not announced any further arrests at this stage.