4 remanded over filming rape victim’s video in Muradnagar

A Cumilla court has granted a three-day remand for four individuals arrested in a case filed under the Pornography Control Act over the filming and circulation of video footage of a rape victim in Muradnagar upazila.

Judge Mominul Haque of Cumilla Cognizance Court-11 passed the remand order.

The accused are Mohammad Ali Sumon, Ramzan Ali, Md Anik, and Md Arif — all residents of Baherchar village in the upazila. The information was confirmed by Sub-Inspector Ruhul Amin of Muradnagar Police Station.

Locals claimed that remanded accused Sumon is the president of the Ramchandrapur South Union unit of the banned student organization Chhatra League in Muradnagar.

According to SI Ruhul Amin, the investigation officer of the case, police had sought a seven-day remand for each of the accused. However, the court granted a three-day remand. He added that questioning the accused in custody could help identify and apprehend other perpetrators based on the information obtained.

SI Ruhul Amin submitted the remand petition to the court of Cumilla Chief Judicial Magistrate Mominul Haque on Monday.

He said a case was filed under the Pornography Control Act on Sunday afternoon (29 June) at Muradnagar Police Station against the four accused, and the remand petition was filed the following day. The hearing took place on Thursday.

According to police, on the night of 26 June, a woman was allegedly raped in a village in Muradnagar. One individual, Fozor Ali, was caught and beaten by locals before being taken away from the scene. During the incident, several individuals recorded videos of the victim and later circulated them on social media.

On Friday (27 June), the woman filed a rape case against Fozor Ali at Muradnagar Police Station. Police then launched an operation and arrested five individuals, including Fozor Ali, from various locations in Cumilla and Dhaka.

Later, on Sunday (29 June), the victim filed a separate case under the Pornography Control Act against Mohammad Ali Sumon and his three associates.

That evening, around 6:45 pm, the four accused were produced before the Cumilla Chief Judicial Magistrate Court, where Judge Mominul Haque denied them bail and ordered their detention.