Summary:
- A 13-year-old boy accused Chauhali BNP leader Fakir Jewel Rana of sexual abuse, prompting widespread outrage.
- The local BNP issued a show-cause notice to Rana, demanding an explanation within 72 hours to address the allegations.
- Rana denied the accusations, calling them a conspiracy, while local BNP leaders formed a committee to investigate the matter.
- Police have not received any formal complaint yet, but efforts to mediate and suppress the case locally have been reported.
A Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader has been issued a show-cause notice following allegations of sexually abusing a 13-year-old boy in Sirajganj’s Chauhali upazila. The accused, Fakir Jewel Rana, serves as the organizational secretary of the Chauhali BNP unit. The incident, which reportedly occurred on Saturday night in the Char Salimabad Bazaar area, has sparked outrage and led to swift action from the local BNP leadership.
The allegations surfaced on Sunday through social media, prompting the Chauhali BNP office to issue the notice that evening. Signed by Rezaul Karim, the office secretary of the upazila BNP, the letter demanded that Rana provide an explanation within 72 hours. Failure to comply could result in organizational action. In the notice, it was stated that the incident had caused significant damage to the party’s reputation.
Chauhali BNP President Zahid Molla confirmed that a committee has been formed to investigate the matter. He emphasized that immediate steps were taken upon learning of the allegations. Meanwhile, Jewel Rana has denied the accusations, claiming they are part of a conspiracy to tarnish his image. “I am being framed with false allegations. A medical examination of the boy will reveal the truth,” he asserted.
According to reports, Rana allegedly lured the boy under false pretenses and committed the abuse late at night. The victim, a tenth-grade student at a local high school, disclosed the incident to his family upon returning home. The case quickly gained attention after details were shared online.
Despite widespread discussion of the case in the community and on social media, Chauhali police have yet to receive any formal complaint from the victim’s family as of Monday morning. Officer-in-Charge Ziaur Rahman stated, “We have heard about the incident from local sources but have not received any official complaint. If a complaint is lodged, we will take appropriate legal action.” Local sources also suggest attempts are being made by some BNP activists to mediate and suppress the matter.
This development comes at a time when concerns over child abuse in Bangladesh are rising. Advocacy groups have repeatedly highlighted gaps in addressing such cases effectively, calling for stronger enforcement of laws and greater accountability for perpetrators. The incident has further spotlighted issues of abuse and political accountability in Bangladesh’s local political landscape.
