Police have arrested a former ward-level leader of the Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Jubo Dal in Monpura upazila of Bhola district over allegations that he assaulted and sexually harassed a woman. The accused, identified as Md Maksud, was arrested on Wednesday afternoon, 4 November, and subsequently sent to court.
The victim has filed a case against Maksud and five others in connection with the incident, which allegedly took place in front of Monpura Police Station.
Maksud is a former president of the Jubo Dal’s six-number ward committee in Hajirhat Union. The other defendants named in the case are Russell, Tayeb, Sohel, Fazlu and Lovely Begum. All six are residents of different villages within Hajirhat Union.
According to the case statement, the incident occurred after the woman went to Hajirhat market at around 11.30 am on Wednesday to demand repayment of money owed to her. She alleged that Maksud, accompanied by several others, confronted her in front of the police station and physically assaulted her.
The complaint further alleges that the attackers pulled at her sari, tearing the garment and subjecting her to humiliation and sexual harassment. The woman claimed that between five and six people took part in the assault under Maksud’s leadership.
The victim also alleged that this was not the first time she had faced intimidation from Maksud. According to her account, he had previously assaulted her and threatened to kill her. She said the earlier incident had prompted her to inform local Member of Parliament Nurul Islam Nayan about the situation.
Following the latest alleged attack, she decided to pursue legal action and lodged a formal complaint against Maksud and the five other accused.
Speaking about the incident, the woman said she was now living in fear and felt increasingly insecure. She expressed concern that the accused might attempt to harm her again, despite the case having been filed. Her allegations have raised concerns about her personal safety and the need for appropriate protection while the investigation proceeds.
Police said the assault reportedly took place at around noon in front of the police station. After receiving the woman’s complaint, officers registered a case and began taking legal action. Maksud, identified as the principal accused, was arrested at approximately 3 pm on the same day. He was subsequently produced before the court following the necessary legal procedures.
However, members of Maksud’s family have disputed the allegations and offered a different explanation for the case. His nephews, Sumon and Mamun, claimed that the complaint had been orchestrated by a faction within the Jubo Dal as part of a politically motivated attempt to target their uncle.
They alleged that the woman had been used to pursue political revenge against Maksud. Their claims, however, have not been independently substantiated, and no supporting evidence was provided in the available account.
Shamsuddin Molla, convener of the Monpura upazila Jubo Dal, said Maksud was no longer involved in the organisation’s political activities, although he had previously served as a ward-level president.
Molla also condemned the alleged conduct, describing such behaviour towards a woman as unacceptable. His comments indicate that the organisation does not regard Maksud as an active member of its current political structure.
Monpura Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mazharul Islam confirmed the arrest. He said Maksud had been detained in connection with a case involving allegations of assaulting and harassing a woman before being sent to court.
The incident has drawn attention to concerns surrounding women’s safety, personal security and the handling of disputes in local communities. Allegations of physical violence and sexual harassment in a public place, particularly near a police station, have also raised questions about the protection available to women seeking to recover money owed to them or resolve personal disputes.
The case now requires a thorough and impartial investigation. Police will need to examine the circumstances surrounding the alleged assault, establish the respective roles of those named in the complaint and assess the competing claims made by the victim and the accused person’s family.
Maksud’s arrest represents a step in the legal process, but the allegations against him and the other defendants must be established through evidence and judicial proceedings. All those accused are entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty in court.
