Jamaat Leader Arrested Over Child Harassment Allegation

A local leader of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has been arrested in Rajshahi’s Paba Upazila following allegations of sexually harassing a nine-year-old child. Police detained Omar Faruk on Friday afternoon (31 July) from the Pakarmatha area of Barogachhi Union after conducting a preliminary inquiry into the complaint.

According to police, Faruk serves as a Rokon—a recognised organisational member—of Ward No. 4 under the Barogachhi Union unit of Jamaat-e-Islami. He is also known locally as a village practitioner and operates a small pharmacy adjacent to his residence.

Police and local residents said Faruk has been providing informal medical services in the area for several years. Along with his wife, he reportedly conducted private tuition sessions for local children at their home. Local sources also stated that his elder brother is involved in Jamaat-e-Islami politics.

The allegations stem from an incident that the victim’s family says occurred around 22 days before the arrest. According to the complaint, the child attended her regular tuition class at Faruk’s residence. After the other students had left, Faruk allegedly took advantage of the situation and inappropriately touched the child. The family claims that upon returning home, the visibly distressed child broke down in tears and informed her mother about what had happened.

The victim’s mother further alleged that she subsequently reported the matter to Faruk’s father, hoping the family would address the complaint. Instead, she claims he urged her not to escalate the issue and advised against pursuing the matter further.

Faruk has categorically denied the allegations. He stated that the child normally attended tuition under the supervision of his wife and that, on the day in question, he had only been teaching because his wife was absent. He insisted that no inappropriate conduct took place and described the accusation as false and deliberately motivated. His father also rejected the allegations, maintaining that the complaint was fabricated.

Responding to the incident, Abdur Rahman Milon, Ameer of the Barogachhi Union unit of Jamaat-e-Islami, confirmed that Faruk is a registered Rokon of the party’s Ward No. 4 organisation. He said the party had become aware of the allegations and would take appropriate organisational measures should the claims be substantiated through a proper investigation.

Paba Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abdul Matin said the child’s mother initially lodged the complaint with the police. Following a preliminary investigation, officers found sufficient grounds to arrest the accused. A case has since been filed against Faruk under Bangladesh’s Women and Children Repression Prevention Act.

The arrest marks only the beginning of the legal process. Under Bangladeshi law, an accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. Investigators are expected to gather witness statements, examine relevant evidence and complete the investigaton before submitting their findings to the court. The outcome of the case will ultimately depend on the evidence presented during judicial proceedings.