Jamaat leader arrested in Rajshahi over sexual assault of minor girl

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Police in Paba, Rajshahi, have arrested 42-year-old Omar Faruk, a local leader of Jamaat-e-Islami, following allegations of sexually assaulting a nine-year-old girl. Faruk, who serves as a “Rukn” or senior member of the party’s ward-level committee, was taken into custody Friday evening after the victim’s mother filed a formal complaint under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act.

According to police and local sources, Faruk operated a pharmacy attached to his residence and offered private tutoring services to local children alongside his wife. The victim’s family alleges that the assault occurred on July 12, when Faruk reportedly dismissed other students early to isolate the child. The girl later recounted the incident to her mother, who claims she initially brought the matter to the attention of Faruk’s father. She alleges that the suspect’s father discouraged them from escalating the issue, leading to a period of local mediation that failed to result in a formal resolution.

The incident gained broader public attention recently, prompting police intervention and the subsequent arrest of the suspect. Paba Police Station officer-in-charge Abdul Matin confirmed that the case was formally registered Friday night and that Faruk is currently being held in police custody as investigations continue.

In response to the allegations, Abdur Rahman, a local Jamaat-e-Islami official, stated that the party only became aware of the situation on Friday. Rahman defended the party’s delay in responding, asserting that the matter had been previously settled between the two families and suggesting that political rivals, specifically members of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), had instigated the recent police involvement.

Party leadership has indicated that while no prior internal disciplinary measures were taken, an investigation is now underway. Rahman stated that if the allegations against Faruk are proven during the internal party inquiry, formal organizational action will be taken against him. The victim’s family continues to demand a thorough investigation and strict legal consequences for the accused.