BANDARBAN — Police have arrested Shaikyaching Marma, a joint convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP) in Bangladesh’s Bandarban district, over allegations that he raped a woman at his own resort. The party subsequently suspended him from his organisational post pending further proceedings.
Marma was arrested on Friday night, October 16, at Saini Resort, located near Shishu Park in Bandarban town, following reports of an alleged assault.
According to police and the complainant, Marma had allegedly taken the woman to the resort on multiple occasions over the past five months by promising to marry her. The woman filed a case against him at Bandarban Sadar Police Station on Friday night.
Police said people gathered outside the resort after hearing the woman’s cries. Officers subsequently went to the scene, rescued her and arrested the accused.
Marma has denied the allegations. During police questioning, he claimed that the woman was blackmailing him to obtain money and that he was the victim of a conspiracy.
Bandarban Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Masud said the accused was sent to the district jail through the court after the completion of the required legal procedures.
Following the arrest, the NCP suspended Marma from his position as joint convener of its Bandarban district convening committee on Saturday afternoon.
In a letter signed by Sadia Farzana Dina, a member of the party’s office cell, the NCP cited allegations of serious organisational misconduct and unethical activities as the reasons for the suspension.
The party also directed Marma to submit a written explanation, along with relevant evidence, within two working days, stating why he should not be permanently expelled.
The decision was taken on the instructions of NCP Convener Nahid Islam and Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain, according to the party letter.
The allegations have not been established in court, and the accused is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty.
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