A BNP leader at the union level in Lalmonirhat has been ousted from the party while being in custody for his alleged involvement in an attempted rape case concerning an NGO worker. The expulsion of Golam Kibria Ripon, who served as the president of BNP’s Bhelabari union unit in Aditmari upazila, was announced through an official notice by the Lalmonirhat district unit of BNP.
In the wake of this decision, Abdul Malek, the unit’s senior vice-president, has been appointed as the acting president. The expulsion was confirmed by Jaynul Abedin Swapon, the office secretary of the Lalmonirhat district BNP, citing Ripon’s actions conflicting with the party’s code of conduct.
Currently incarcerated in Lalmonirhat District Jail, the former BNP leader had sought bail on October 29 in relation to the attempted rape case but was denied by the District and Sessions Judge’s Court, resulting in his detention.
The case revolves around the complainant, an NGO worker, who had sought Ripon’s help following a dispute with a local youth she was romantically involved with. Allegedly, Ripon assured her assistance and advised her to stay at the residence of his associate, Chan Mia. However, on the night of August 3, both Ripon and Chan Mia purportedly made an attempt to sexually assault the woman.
Subsequently, the NGO worker lodged a formal complaint at Aditmari Police Station, leading to a thorough investigation by the police. Officer-in-Charge Ali Akbar of Aditmari Police Station affirmed the authenticity of the allegations following a preliminary probe and announced plans to submit a charge sheet to the court in due course.