Imam detained for ‘raping’ minor girl

Prothom Alo illustration
Prothom Alo illustration

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) members have arrested the imam of a mosque for reportedly raping a minor girl in Fatulla of Narayanganj, reports news agency UNB.

The elite force also picked up five of his followers who threatened the victim’s family.

The arrestees are Md Fazlur Rahman alias Rafiqul Islam, 45, imam of a mosque in Chanmari in Uttar Chashara of Fatulla, and his followers Md Ramjan Ali, Md Gias Uddin, Habib-e-Elahi alias Hobi, Md Motahar Hossain and Md Sharif.

RAB-11 made the arrests on Tuesday after the victim’s father filed a complaint against the imam.

The victim’s family said they took the girl to the imam after Fajr prayers on 2 August as she used to have bad dreams during her sleep.

The imam then raped the girl on the excuse of exorcising her after sending her father outside for bringing candle light.

He also threatened to kill the girl if she informed anyone about the incident.

However, the child narrated the incident to her parents. Later, the imam and his followers harassed her parents.

As the fell sick, the victim was first taken to Victoria General Hospital secretly as the accused were searching for the family to kill them, family members alleged.

Later, she was shifted to Narayanganj General Hospital.