Jamaat Worker Held Over Alleged Rape of Third-Grade Student in Noakhali

NOAKHALI, Aug 24: Police have detained a Jamaat-e-Islami activist after local residents allegedly caught him sexually assaulting a third-grade student at his pharmacy in Hatiya upazila of Noakhali.

The accused, identified as Md Helal Uddin, 42, was handed over to police after the incident occurred at Adarsha Gram Bazar in Harani Union on Sunday (August 23). A video related to the incident has also reportedly circulated on social media.

According to police, Uddin, also known as Helal Master, runs a pharmacy at the local market. He is the son of Belayet Khalifa of Adarsha Gram in Ward No. 4 of Harani Union.

Police said Uddin had previously worked as a teacher at Adarsha Gram High School but left the profession two to three years ago.

According to the allegations, Uddin lured the nine-year-old girl to his pharmacy on Sunday morning and took her to a room behind the shop, where he allegedly raped her.

Local people reportedly became suspicious and questioned both the accused and the child. Uddin allegedly attempted to flee the shop but was caught by local residents and subsequently handed over to the Chairman Ghat police outpost.

Police said a case under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act will be filed at Hatiya Police Station based on a complaint by the girl’s mother. The case was still being processed at the time of reporting.

The child will be sent to the Noakhali 250-Bed General Hospital for a medical examination, police said.

Police and local sources said Uddin had previously faced allegations of attempting to sexually assault another child in the same area on August 4. A local arbitration was reportedly held over the allegation, where he was fined Tk 10,000 and sentenced to 50 lashes.

Uddin was previously associated with the Awami League’s affiliated organisation Jubo League, reportedly serving as its forest and environment affairs secretary while allegedly using a disguise. Following the change of government, he reportedly became involved in Jamaat-e-Islami activities.

However, Hafiz Tarifur Maola, Jamaat’s Harani Union ameer, denied that Uddin is a Jamaat activist. He said Uddin had previously been involved with the Jubo League and joined Jamaat after August 5 in an attempt to protect himself.

SI Salauddin Rashed, in-charge of the Chairman Ghat police outpost, said police brought the accused to the outpost after receiving information from local residents.

Hatiya Police Station Officer-in-Charge Kabir Hossain said the girl’s mother would file a case under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act and that the legal process was underway.