A local leader of the Jubo Dal’s volunteer wing has been arrested in South Keraniganj, Dhaka, over allegations that he lured a 16-year-old girl to a rented house on the pretext of helping resolve a dispute with her husband and then raped her.
The accused, identified as Ismail, is reportedly the general secretary of the volunteer wing of the Jubo Dal in Ward 6 of Shubhadhya Union. Two other men, identified in the case as Raju and Shawon, have also been named as accused.
The girl filed a case with South Keraniganj Police Station on Monday, 7 September. Police subsequently arrested Ismail, said Abu Kalam Azad, an inspector for investigation at the police station.
According to the case statement and the girl’s account, she married a young man named Faisal around two years ago. They have a child together, but the couple have been living separately because of marital differences.
The girl said she became acquainted with Ismail about a month ago. According to her allegation, Ismail presented himself as an influential local figure and assured her that he could help settle the dispute between her and her husband.
She alleged that on Sunday night, 6 September, Ismail called her at around 10.30pm and asked her to come to a club. When she arrived, she found the club closed and contacted him by phone. Raju then allegedly took her from the area below the club to the second floor of a rented house.
According to the complaint, several other people were present at the house. At one stage, she was allegedly told that money would be required if she wanted to divorce her husband. She further alleged that the accused threatened and physically harassed her and recorded photographs and videos of her.
The girl said she was subsequently threatened with the publication of those photographs and videos on social media. She alleged that at around 11pm, she was taken into a room and raped against her will.
She also alleged that she was threatened with harm to herself and her family if she disclosed what had happened. Following the incident, she approached the police and sought legal action, demanding a fair investigation and justice.
Police said the allegations are now being investigated. Abu Kalam Azad said a case had been registered based on the girl’s complaint and that one accused had been arrested. He added that legal action would be taken after examining the allegations and other relevant aspects of the case.
The case involves a minor, and the allegations include sexual violence and threats involving private images. Such cases require particular care in handling the victim’s identity and personal information while ensuring that investigators can establish the facts through evidence and statements.
The arrest does not by itself establish guilt. The allegations against Ismail and the other accused will have to be examined through the investigation and subsequent legal proceedings. Police have not indicated the outcome of the investigation, while further action will depend on the evidence gathered in the case.
Authorities are now expected to examine the circumstances in which the girl was taken to the rented house, the alleged involvement of the other accused and the claims concerning photographs, videos and threats. The investigation will determine the facts surrounding the incident and establish whether the allegations can be substantiated.
