5 arrested over rape of woman in Cumilla's Muradnagar, circulating video online
Adviser Asif Mahmud blames political patronage for the incident
Cumilla police have arrested the main accused in the alleged rape of an expatriate's wife in the district's Muradnagar, along with four others involved in recording a video of the incident and circulating it on social media.
The main accused, Fojor Ali, 38, was arrested at 5am today (29 June) from the Sayedabad area of Dhaka, confirmed Superintendent of Police Nazir Ahmed Khan.
Fojor Ali hails from Baherchar Pachkitta village in Muradnagar upazila of Cumilla. The other arrestees are Anik, Sumon, Ramzan, and Babu — also from Bahechar Pachkitta village.
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The victim was reportedly visiting her father's residence from her in-laws' house 15 days prior to the incident.
She filed a case under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act against Fojor Ali with the Muradnagar Police Station.
Following which, the police launched a drive to arrest the main accused. Earlier, the four individuals who spread the video on social media were arrested.
According to SP Nazir, the video went viral, sparking outrage on social media and demands for swift arrests of those involved.
DU students protest
Meanwhile, Dhaka University's Jagannath Hall students staged a protest at around 1am last night (28 June), calling for justice over the incident.
Students marched through the VC Chattar area, passed through Rokeya and Shamsunnahar Halls, and concluded at the base of the Raju Memorial Sculpture near TSC.
They chanted various slogans, such as – "From Asia to Nandini, justice denied for all", "No place for rapists in my golden Bengal", "Why is there rape in golden Bengal? We demand accountability from the administration", "Direct action against rape."
Adviser Asif blames politics
In response to the incident, Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud posted on Facebook blaming political patronage for the situation.
"All those providing shelter, rehabilitation, and empowerment to Awami League-backed terrorists in Muradnagar—who use this power to abuse, extort, and rape innocent people—are responsible for today's situation," he wrote.
He further recalled a previous incident where local mafia attacked a police station to free an extortionist caught red-handed.
"I am ashamed. I have no words. Locals tell me that while the rest of the country has been freed through people's uprising, Muradnagar has fallen into the hands of even bigger mafias," he lamented.
While local law enforcement is reportedly trying to arrest the rapists, Mahmud warned that unless the powerful masterminds behind these crimes are held accountable, the situation may deteriorate further.
