Police officers in South Keraniganj have arrested a local political figure following allegations that a 16-year-old girl was lured under the pretext of marital mediation and subsequently sexually assaulted. The arrested suspect, identified as Ismail, serves as the general secretary of the Ward 6 Shubhadya Union unit of the Sechchasebak Dal, the volunteer wing affiliated with the opposition political apparatus. Two co-accused, identified as Raju and Shaon, have also been named in the formal complaint filed at the local police station.
Inspector (Investigation) Abul Kalam Azad of South Keraniganj Police Station confirmed the arrest on Monday, 7 September, stating that law enforcement moved swiftly after the teenage victim lodged an official case detailing the incident.
According to court filings and the victim’s account, the teenager married a young man named Faisal approximately two years ago, and the couple has a young child. Due to marital disputes, the husband and wife had been living separately in recent months. Around a month ago, the victim came into contact with Ismail, who presented himself as an influential local figure and promised to mediate the ongoing domestic dispute with her husband.
On the evening of Sunday, 6 September, Ismail contacted the victim by telephone at approximately 10:30 pm, asking her to meet near a local community club. Finding the facility closed upon her arrival, she telephoned the contact, whereupon the co-accused, Raju, met her outside and escorted her to the second floor of a nearby rented apartment building.
The victim alleged that several men were present inside the apartment. They informed her that considerable funds would be required to execute a divorce from her husband before subjecting her to physical intimidation and harassment. The group recorded explicit photographs and video footage of the victim against her will.
Using the recorded media as blackmail, the suspects threatened to circulate the content across social media platforms if she resisted. At around 11:00 pm, the victim was forced into a room where she was subjected to sexual assault. She added that the perpetrators threatened severe harm to her and her family members should she report the matter to the authorities. Demanding strict legal action, the victim approached the police station the following day.
Inspector Abul Kalam Azad assured that a thorough police investigation is underway. He confirmed that the primary suspect is in custody, medical procedures for the victim have been initiated, and law enforcement teams are conducting raids to apprehend the remaining suspects named in the case.
