A case of sexual assault against Tofael Ahmed Raihan, a Bangladesh ‘A’ cricketer, has taken a new turn as police submitted the charge sheet accusing him of assaulting a young woman on the pretext of marriage.
The investigating officer, Sub-Inspector Md Samiul Islam of Gulshan Police Station, on Thursday confirmed that the charge sheet was filed under Section 9(1) of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act.
Bangladesh ‘A’ Cricketer: Evidence cited in the Police Report
According to the document submitted, investigators found prima facie evidence to support the complainant’s allegations in the following:
The woman first says,
- Hotel Booking Records
- Medical examination reports
- Additional supporting documents
Officials said collectively these factors were enough to substantiate the allegations and constitute charges.
Read More
Case Background: Relationship allegedly began over the internet
Case papers reveal that Tofael first contacted the complainant on Facebook in January. Their conversations over Messenger gradually progressed into what the woman alleged to be a romantic affair. She reportedly first rebuffed his advances but later agreed to the relationship after Tofael allegedly assured her of marriage.
Alleged Assault at Gulshan Hotel
The complainant said that on January 31, Tofael took her to a hotel in Gulshan, where he introduced her as his wife. She said that he then engaged in non-consensual sexual acts after again promising marriage.
The woman further claimed that similar incidents occurred multiple times in the following months. It is alleged that when she finally told Tofael to marry her, he refused, and she filed a case on August 1 at Gulshan Police Station.
Read More
Court Proceedings and Bail Issues
On September 24, the High Court granted six weeks’ anticipatory bail to Tofael on the condition that he surrender before the Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal, Dhaka before the expiry of the bail period. But he did not follow the court order, sources of the case said.
As a result, during this period, even the Bangladesh ‘A’ cricketer went to Hong Kong to play a six-a-side tournament with the second-string national team.
Next Hearing Scheduled The next hearing has been scheduled for December 30, when the charge sheet is to be formally placed before the tribunal.
ALSO READ: IND vs SA 2nd T20: Pitch Report, Weather, Team News And Key Talking Points From Mullanpur
