A political activist belonging to Jatiyatabadi Juba Dal, the youth wing of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, faces severe allegations of sexually harassing a woman and filming the ordeal in Gournadi, Barishal. The incident, which reportedly took place in the Bilbagram area within Ward 9 of Mahilara Union, has sparked intense public outrage after video footage surfaced on social media platforms.
The primary suspect has been identified as Md Shahin Mridha, an active worker for the Mahilara Union Juba Dal. According to local residents, approximately one month ago, Shahin and several accomplices confronted the woman alongside a young man inside a residential property in Bilbagram. Under the guise of policing alleged immoral behaviour, the group subjected the woman to physical assault and sexual harassment while capturing the footage on a mobile phone.
The video circulated online depicts the woman desperately attempting to cover herself with her scarf (orna). The activist is seen holding a mobile phone in one hand to record the scene while forcibly pulling away her scarf with the other, exposing her to further humiliation.
Responding to the allegations via a telephone call, Shahin Mridha denied direct involvement in filming the assault. He claimed the incident occurred nearly two months ago at the home of local resident Monir Howlader, whose wife works abroad. Shahin asserted that he went to the house at around 11:30 pm after being informed that an inappropriate gathering was taking place. Although he admitted to being present at the scene and holding up a mobile phone light, he maintained that other villagers recorded the footage and subsequently leaked it to frame him as part of a political conspiracy.
Addressing the disciplinary aspect of the incident, Monir Hossain Akon, Member Secretary of the Gournadi Upazila Juba Dal, stated that party officials intend to inspect the scene, assess the circumstances under which the footage was taken, and initiate organizational action if the allegations are validated. Meanwhile, Tariq Hasan Russel, Officer-in-Charge of Gournadi Model Police Station, confirmed that law enforcement authorities have not yet received a formal written complaint. He added that a comprehensive investigation will be launched immediately once an official complaint is lodged.
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