A case has been filed in Kendua, Netrokona, accusing five named people, including BNP leader Rafiqul Islam Bhuiyan Bakul, of blackmailing and gang-raping a Class 10 schoolgirl over an extended period. The victim’s father filed the case at Kendua police station on Tuesday night under the নারী ও শিশু নির্যাতন দমন আইন and the Pornography Control Act, also naming several unidentified suspects.

According to the case statement and the victim’s family, Bakul allegedly raped the girl on November 20, 2022, when she was in Class 6, after taking her to a house on the pretext of seeing a doctor. He allegedly recorded a video and later used threats of releasing it on social media to blackmail and repeatedly assault her.

Kendua municipal BNP removed Bakul from its primary membership and all party posts on Wednesday night, citing conduct contrary to party discipline and ethics. Police arrested the second accused, Abu Mia, 36, shortly after the case was filed and sent him to jail through a court on Wednesday. Operations to arrest Bakul and other accused are continuing.