Jamaat Leader Arrested Over Attempted Rape Charge in Mirzaganj

A local leader belonging to the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami party has been apprehended by the police in Patuakhali’s Mirzaganj upazila on charges of attempting to violate a woman. The suspect allegedly lured the victim into his residence under the false pretext of offering a religious amulet, or talisman.

Law enforcement officials executed the arrest on Friday in the Uttar Choita village, located within the Madhabkhali union of the sub-district.

Identity of the Suspect and Local Context

The detained individual has been identified as 45-year-old Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman Mahabub. He serves as the president of the ward number 4 branch of Jamaat-e-Islami within the Madhabkhali union. The son of the late Joynal Moulvi, Mahabub operates a retail pharmacy adjacent to his home and is known within the village community as a rural medical practitioner.

The arrest was confirmed publicly by Mohammad Mohsin Hawladar, an elected Union Parishad member representing the fourth ward of Madhabkhali.

According to the statement given by the complainant, the suspect approached her on Thursday evening, promising to prepare a protective spiritual charm for her nephew. Relying on this assurance, the woman accompanied him to his residence, where he allegedly resorted to physical force in an attempt to assault her.

Circumstances Leading to Public Intervention

Local sources and police investigators revealed that the complainant is a married mother with a nine-year-old son. Due to marital discord that began approximately a year ago, she had previously sought counsel from Mahabub in his capacity as a village doctor. Over the months, she frequented his establishment to obtain traditional charms intended to resolve her ongoing domestic grievances.

Investigating officers discovered that on Thursday morning, the suspect sent his wife and children away to visit his in-laws, leaving the residence entirely vacant. Later that evening, he brought the woman to his house, where the two remained indoors for approximately two hours.

Suspicious of the situation, neighbouring residents gathered outside the property. Upon entering the premises, the locals reportedly discovered the pair in a deeply compromising situation inside one of the rooms. The villagers subsequently detained the physician and alerted the local constabulary.

Political and Legal Repercussions

When questioned regarding the incident, the Amir of the upazila unit of Jamaat-e-Islami, Maulana Sirajul Islam, stated that he had not been formally briefed on the matter by local workers. He added, however, that the party would initiate strict organisational disciplinary action against the ward president if the criminal allegations are proven true.

Providing an update on the legal proceedings, the Officer-in-Charge of Mirzaganj Police Station, Mohammad Towhiduzzaman, confirmed that the victim has formally filed a case accusing the politician of attempted rape. The suspect remains in police custody pending a formal appearance before the judicial magistrate court, whilst a detailed forensic investigation continues.