Case filed against Jamaat leader over rape and forced abortion of widow

A case has been filed against Md Shahidul Islam, president of Patuakhali Sadar Upazila Youth Jamaat, over allegations of raping a widow and forcing her to abort her pregnancy. The victim filed the case as plaintiff on July 22 at the Patuakhali Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal. Judge Nilufer Shirin of the tribunal took cognisance of the case and directed Sadar Police Station to take necessary legal action.

The plaintiff's lawyer, Advocate Md Humayun Kabir, confirmed the matter on Wednesday morning.

The accused, Shahidul Islam, is the son of Abul Kalam from Baniakathi village in Itbaria Union of Sadar upazila. He is the president of Sadar Upazila Youth Jamaat and office secretary of the Patuakhali Welfare Foundation. He has been on the run since the incident.

The case statement said the victim lost her husband about seven years ago and moved to her father's house with her only child. She came to know Shahidul Islam through that connection. Since then, the accused Jamaat leader allegedly made indecent proposals to her on various occasions. When she refused, he offered marriage and took her to his sister's house on Sher-e-Bangla Road in the city on the morning of March 24, where he confined her to a room and raped her, according to the case statement. He allegedly continued to rape her frequently thereafter, using threats and intimidation. The woman became pregnant as a result. Shahidul then pressured her to abort the child. When she refused, he took her to a clinic on May 18 under the pretext of seeing a doctor, where he drugged her and she lost consciousness. Upon regaining consciousness, she learned that her pregnancy had been terminated.

Confirming the case, Advocate Md Humayun Kabir said the case alleges that the woman was raped multiple times after being lured with promises of marriage. The court has taken cognisance and ordered Sadar Police Station to accept the complaint. He added that police cannot evade responsibility, even if the court order has not yet reached them.

The accused, Md Shahidul Islam, could not be reached for comment as he remains at large.

Patuakhali Sadar Police Station OC Md Moniuzzaman said they have not yet received a copy of the court order. Legal action will be taken according to the court's directive once the order is received.