Keraniganj Correspondent //

Local Swechchhasebak Dal leader Ismail Hossain has been accused of raping a 16-year-old girl in South Keraniganj, Dhaka, after luring her there with the promise of resolving a dispute with her husband. Police have arrested him in connection with the incident.

Following the allegations, Swechchhasebak Dal has temporarily suspended him from his organizational post.

Ismail Hossain is the General Secretary of the Swechchhasebak Dal unit for Ward No. 6 of Shuvaddha Union. Two other individuals, named Raju and Shaon, have also been named as accused in the case filed at South Keraniganj Police Station.

According to police and the case statement, the teenager married a young man named Faisal about two years ago; they have a child together. They are currently living apart due to marital discord.

In the complaint, the teenager stated that she met Ismail about a month ago. Ismail promised to help resolve the dispute with her husband. Consequently, around 10:30 PM on Sunday (September 6), he called her and asked her to come to a location in front of a club.

The teenager alleged that upon her arrival, Raju took her to the second floor of a rented house where several other individuals were present. At one point, she was told that money would be required to divorce her husband. Later, she was intimidated, and photos and videos of her were recorded. The complaint alleges that she was then taken into a room and raped around 11:00 PM, with threats that the recorded material would be circulated on social media.

The victim also alleged that she was threatened with harm to herself and her family members if she disclosed the incident to anyone.

The teenager filed the case at South Keraniganj Police Station on Monday. Subsequently, police arrested the prime accused, Ismail.

Abul Kalam Azad, Inspector (Investigation) of South Keraniganj Police Station, stated that the case was filed based on the victim’s complaint and one person has been arrested. Further legal action will be taken following an investigation into the allegations.

Meanwhile, the Shuvaddha Union Unit 2 (covering Wards 4, 5, and 6) of the Bangladesh Nationalist Swechchhasebak Dal has announced the temporary suspension of Ismail Hossain from his organizational position. A press release issued on Monday stated that Ismail Hossain, General Secretary of Ward No. 6, has been temporarily suspended from his primary membership based on specific allegations of violating organizational discipline.

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