Aftab Mozumdar Joy, a leader of the National Citizens Party (NCP) and member of its Chittagong metropolitan convening committee, was arrested on rape allegations and has been permanently expelled from the party. The arrest followed a case filed at Chandgaon police station after a college student accused him of assault at a hotel room on the night of July 14; RAB-7 carried out the operation and handed him to police.

According to the complaint, Joy established a relationship with the woman via Facebook and allegedly had physical relations in room 208 of ‘Sweet Palace’ hotel after promising marriage. When the woman later pressed for marriage, she alleges Joy refused and cut off contact; she later learned he was already married. The victim filed a case on July 19 under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act and relevant sections of the Penal Code; after legal processing Joy was sent to jail through the court.

The NCP’s Chittagong metropolitan committee issued a written order signed by acting office secretary Ridwaan Hridoy declaring Joy permanently expelled effective July 23 and barring him from any party activities or identification.