A case has been filed against five leaders and activists of the BNP and its associate bodies on charges of gang-raping a 46-year-old woman in Puthia upazila of Rajshahi. Police have arrested one suspect in connection with the incident.
The case was filed at Puthia Police Station around 12:30 am on Friday. Following the filing of the case, police arrested BNP activist Mohammad Murad, 32, a resident of Dhopapara Karigarpara village.
The other accused in the case are: Jiupara Union Sramik Dal President Mohammad Firoz, 35; Jiupara Union Swechchhasebak Dal Member Secretary Saiful Islam, 40; BNP activist Mohammad Bulbul, 28; and Jubo Dal activist Mohammad Suman, 32.
Several unidentified individuals were also accused. The suspects, however, denied the allegations, claiming the case was fabricated.
According to police sources, the victim, originally from Naldanga upazila in Natore, has been living in rented houses in different areas of Puthia for a long time.
The victim was sent to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital on Saturday for a medical examination.
In the case statement, the victim mentioned that she rented a house in the Dhopapara Karigarpara area on June 1 and moved in on June 4. At around 9:00 pm that night, the accused spotted a teenage boy in front of her house, detained him, and accused the woman of involving in illicit activities with him.
The statement further alleged that the accused then entered her house and looted Tk 25,000 in cash, silver anklets worth Tk 22,000, and a mobile phone valued at Tk 40,000. Following this, Saiful Islam allegedly raped her.
The victim claimed that Firoz then offered to take her to a safer location on his motorcycle but instead drove her to an isolated field in Ujalpur village. He then called Murad over the phone. Murad arrived at the spot around 11:00 pm and raped her, according to the statement. Later, Firoz dropped her off at Bashbari Bazar, from where she took a van back to her village in Naldanga.
When contacted, Jiupara Union Sramik Dal President Firoz claimed that a youth had gone to the woman's house for illicit purposes and locals detained them. "It was later decided that the woman would have to leave the village that very night. I only dropped her off at the local market on my motorcycle," he said.
He further claimed that no looting or rape took place and a false case was filed against them over the expulsion from the village.
Faridul Islam, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Puthia Police Station, said it is too early to comment on whether the allegations are true or false, as the truth will emerge after a thorough investigation.
"One suspect was arrested immediately after the case was filed and has been sent to jail through the court. The victim's medical examination has been arranged, and drives are underway to arrest the remaining suspects," the OC added.