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๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฉ Bangladesh /Crime & Justice

Jamaat activist detained over alleged sexual harassment of minor

From Daily Star · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • A Jamaat-e-Islami activist, Omar Faruk, has been detained in Rajshahi, Bangladesh, over allegations of sexually harassing a nine-year-old girl.
  • The case was filed under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act after the victim's mother reported the incident.
  • Local Jamaat leaders claim the incident is being exaggerated by political opponents and that organizational action will be taken if allegations are proven.

A Jamaat-e-Islami activist has been detained in Rajshahi, Bangladesh, following allegations of sexually harassing a nine-year-old girl. Omar Faruk, who works as a village doctor, was arrested after the victim's mother filed a case under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act.

They are influential people, so we remained silent. But when the news of the incident spread, police found out about it and took Faruk into custody.

โ€” Victim's motherExplaining her decision to report the alleged sexual harassment.

According to the case statement, the incident occurred when the victim went to Faruk's house for private tutoring. The victim's mother stated that after confronting the accused, she was advised to settle the matter privately, but decided to pursue legal action after the news spread.

As far as I have heard, the incident took place quite some time ago. It had already been settled between the two families. Now BNP people have called the police and had him picked up.

โ€” Abdur Rahman MilonChief of Jamaat's Boro Gachhi union unit, commenting on the arrest.

Local Jamaat leaders acknowledged Faruk as a party member but suggested the incident was being exaggerated by political rivals. They claimed the matter had already been settled between the families and that police involvement was prompted by political influence. The party stated that an investigation would be conducted, and organizational action would be taken if the allegations are proven.

I came to know about it just recently. I have already informed the responsible leaders. An investigation will now be conducted. If he is found guilty, organisational action will be taken.

โ€” Abdur Rahman MilonChief of Jamaat's Boro Gachhi union unit, on potential party action.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Daily Star in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.