A. League leader held hostage in Jhenaidah, 3 arrested

After being arrested on charges of attempted rape in Maheshpur, an Awami League leader named Jhenaidah has been accused of taking hostages and extorting money. The complaint states that the victim’s husband and his two associates extorted one lakh taka from the accused on the condition that the incident not be disclosed.
The police arrested the three people after the Awami League leader’s wife filed a written complaint against them at the Maheshpur police station. The police arrested them today (May 10). The arrested are Mahbubur Rahman of Khalishpur village in Maheshpur, Mizanur Rahman Chhota of the same village and Md. Firoz of Kuripole village.
Police said that a housewife had complained of attempted rape against Maheshpur Upazila Awami League President Sajjadul Islam Sajjad. According to the complaint, the Awami League leader tried to molest the housewife by going to a house near Khalishpur Bazar on Tuesday (May 5). Four days after the incident, on Saturday (May 9), the woman filed a complaint of attempted rape against Sajjadul Islam at the Maheshpur police station. Later, the police arrested the Awami League leader that afternoon.
On the other hand, the wife of the arrested Sajjadul Islam filed another case on the same day on charges of extortion by threatening her husband. The police have arrested three people in this case. The Awami League leader’s wife, Tahmina Shampa, told the media that the woman who accused of rape called her husband at home on May 5 about the theft of a motorcycle. Later, she was systematically framed and the money and checks were collected. When she went to collect the checks on Saturday (May 9), she was handed over to the police.
However, the woman who accused of rape against Sajjadul Islam told the media that she was alone at home and Sajjadul Islam tried to molest her. Hearing her screams, locals came forward and arrested the accused. Later, money was exchanged in the name of settling the matter. Local sources said that after the incident, there were several attempts at compromise and secret mediation between the two parties. Sub-Inspector (SI) Hamidul Islam, the investigating officer of the case, said that the entire incident is under investigation. It is not possible to provide any detailed information until the investigation is completed. Maheshpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mehedi Hasan said that a case has been filed in the attempted rape incident and the accused has been sent to court. At the same time, the charges of extortion and cheque taking have also been proven to be primary. Three people have been arrested in this incident. He further said that the entire matter is being investigated seriously.