Police in Netrokona’s Mohanganj have arrested a 33-year-old man over allegations that he sexually assaulted his wife’s cousin after promising to marry her. The woman, who is reportedly six months pregnant, lodged a complaint against the accused, identified as Abu Hanif, earlier this week.
Hanif, a father of two, is the son of Abul Kashem of Bakhrapur village in Maghan Siyadhar Union under Mohanganj police station. Police arrested him on Wednesday night, 23 September, following the complaint, and produced him before a court on Thursday.
According to the case statement, Hanif allegedly made repeated romantic advances towards his wife’s cousin. At one stage, he reportedly took the young woman to Sylhet after assuring her that he would marry her. The two then stayed in a rented house in the city, where Hanif allegedly had a sexual relationship with her.
The woman later discovered that she was pregnant. After informing Hanif, she allegedly faced physical and psychological abuse from him. She has also alleged that he attempted on several occasions to take her to hospital with the intention of terminating the pregnancy.
The situation reportedly escalated on the night of 13 September. According to the complaint, the woman went to Hanif’s village home and pressed him to register their marriage. She alleges that Hanif became angry and assaulted her during the confrontation.
The woman subsequently went to Mohanganj Police Station on Tuesday and filed a complaint accusing Hanif of rape. Police then launched action and arrested him the following night.
Mohanganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Hafizul Islam Harun said the accused was arrested promptly after the complaint was received and was sent to court on Thursday.
The case is now subject to investigation and further legal proceedings. The allegations made in the complaint will have to be established through the investigation and judicial process. As with any criminal case, the accused is entitled to present his defence before the court.
The allegations have also brought attention to the legal and social complications that can arise when a relationship involves promises of marriage and disputes over consent and responsibility. In such cases, the circumstances surrounding the relationship, the allegations made by the complainant and other available evidence are matters for investigators and the court to assess.
Police have not disclosed further details about the investigation. The court will determine the next steps in the case based on the evidence and applicable law.
