BNP has removed Rafiqur Islam Bhuiyan Bakul from all party positions and primary membership after he was named the main accused in a rape and pornography law case in Kendua, Netrokona. The decision was announced on Wednesday night, while police said Bakul, a former joint general secretary of Kendua municipal BNP and general secretary of Ward 5 BNP, remained absconding.

Police said the case was filed Tuesday night against five named accused. The complainant is the father of a tenth-grade student at a local school. According to the case statement and the victim’s family, Bakul allegedly raped her at a house on November 20, 2022, when she was in sixth grade, recorded a video, and later used threats of releasing it to assault her repeatedly.

The party said in a press release that Bakul was relieved of all posts and primary membership over conduct contrary to party discipline and morality. Police arrested accused Abu Mia, 36, and sent him to court. Officer-in-Charge Tariqul Islam said operations were continuing to arrest the main accused and other suspects. The family learned of the alleged abuse after a video spread on August 1; a clinic examination on August 18 found the student six months pregnant.