Chhatra League leader who raped school student refused bail

An expelled former Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) leader who was arrested for raping a school student in Sirajganj has been refused bail. The court of Sirajganj Additional District and Sessions Judge Rafiqul Islam refused the appeal for bail by the accused former BCL District Vice-President Riyad Hossain on Wednesday. Members of the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) arrested the accused Riyad after extensive investigations from Belkuchi, Sirajganj on March 11. Following this, they asked the court for a week of custody. On Wednesday, the judge overturned both Riyad’s appeal for bail and the police’s demand for custody, instead asking the investigative agency to question the accused at the gates of Sirajganj district jail. The Assistant Public Prosecutor (APP) of Sirajganj Advocate Nasim Abdul Hakim has confirmed both motions. It is worth noting that on October 24 of last year, Riyad and five of his affiliates were accused of rape by the uncle of the victim who filed a case with Sirajganj Violence against Women and Children Tribunal. The judge of that tribunal asked the PBI to investigate the matter, prompting Bangladesh Chhatra League to expel Riyad from the organization. Upon investigating the matter, PBI found Riyad guilty and filed a charge sheet with the local court, subsequently arresting the accused on March 11.