RAB Arrests Man Over Alleged Blackmail Using Secret Video

A 32-year-old man has been arrested in Sreemangal, Moulvibazar, on allegations of secretly recording an intimate video of a married woman and using it to blackmail her for money over several months. The accused, identified as Shahin Ali, has been charged under Bangladesh’s Pornography Control Act and was sent to jail by a court on Tuesday, 7 July, following his arrest.

According to the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Shahin Ali was apprehended during a raid conducted on Monday, 6 July, in the Islampur area of Sreemangal Upazila. He is a resident of Jalalia Road in Sreemangal municipality and the son of Shukkur Ali.

RAB-9 Media Officer and Additional Superintendent of Police K.M. Shahidul Islam Sohag said the suspect operated a small business from his home, selling a variety of household goods. Through this business, he became acquainted with the complainant, who regularly visited him to purchase essential items.

Investigators stated that on 11 January this year, the woman bought a pair of shoes from Shahin Ali. Later the same day, after discovering that the shoes were too small, she returned to his residence to exchange them. The complaint alleges that, finding no one else present in the house, the accused forcibly behaved in an indecent manner towards her and secretly recorded the entire incident on his mobile phone without her knowledge or consent.

According to RAB, the secretly recorded footage was subsequently used as a tool of intimidation. The accused allegedly threatened to publish the video on social media unless the victim complied with his demands. Investigators claim he repeatedly subjected her to psychological pressure, attempted to coerce her into immoral acts, and used the recording to maintain control over her for an extended period. The woman reportedly endured prolonged mental distress and fear as a result of the alleged blackmail.

The complaint further states that when the victim pleaded with the accused to delete the video, he demanded Tk200,000 in exchange. Fearing the consequences of the footage being made public, she allegedly paid Tk50,000. Despite receiving the money, Shahin Ali is accused of continuing to pressure her for the remaining amount while repeatedly threatening to release the recording.

RAB officials said that when the victim eventually refused to pay any more money, the suspect allegedly carried out his threat by circulating the explicit video on social media. The publication of the footage is reported to have caused severe emotional trauma and significant damage to both the victim’s personal life and her family’s social standing.

Following the incident, the woman filed a case with Sreemangal Police Station. The case has been registered under the Pornography Control Act. Acting on the complaint, a team from the RAB-9 Sreemangal Camp launched an operation that led to Shahin Ali’s arrest.

Law enforcement officials emphasised that secretly recording another person, using such material to intimidate, extort money or engage in blackmail constitutes a serious criminal offence under Bangladeshi law. They also urged victims of similar crimes not to remain silent or give in to threats, but instead to seek immediate assistance from the authorities so that legal action can be taken promptly.

The investigation remains ongoing. Officials said further legal action would be taken if additional evidence emerges or if any other individuals are found to have been involved in the alleged offences.