An allegation of attempted sexual abuse of a 9-year-old girl inside a mosque after Maktab classes has been raised against Md. Helal Uddin, alias Belal Munshi (55), the local Sherpur Union Jamaat-e-Islami president in Nandail upazila of Mymensingh.
The incident created widespread tension in the locality today, Wednesday (September 30), three days after the occurrence, when an agitated crowd stormed the suspect’s residence.
The accused, 55-year-old Belal Munshi, is a resident of Sangramkheli village under Sherpur Union in Nandail upazila and currently serves as the president of the union unit of Jamaat-e-Islami.
According to local sources and the victim’s family, at least 30 children from the village had gathered at a local mosque in Sangramkheli village on Monday morning for their daily Arabic lessons. Belal Munshi had been teaching at the morning Maktab at the mosque for a long time.
After the session ended, he dismissed all the other children but tactfully held back the 9-year-old girl inside the venue.
Once the other students left, Belal Munshi allegedly locked the mosque doors, called the child over, pulled her by the hand, and attempted to sexually abuse her by touching sensitive parts of her body.
When the child fiercely resisted and tried to scream, the accused forcibly attempted to muffle her mouth. However, the girl managed to break free from his grasp and ran back home.
In tears, the child recounted the ordeal to her mother, who subsequently informed local village elders and leaders.
Upon learning that the incident had surfaced, the Jamaat leader reportedly used his local influence to intimidate and threaten the victim’s family in an effort to hush up the matter.
Although a local arbitration meeting was convened regarding the incident, three days passed without the victimized family receiving any fair justice.
Frustrated by the lack of resolution, angry local residents gathered today and stormed Belal Munshi’s house. Anticipating the backlash, the accused had already fled the village and gone into hiding.
Denying all allegations against him, the accused Belal Munshi claimed: “On that day, I asked the girl to enter a phone number into my mobile phone. When she couldn’t, I slapped her. Following that, she went home out of anger and spread false allegations.” The Jamaat leader also admitted to fleeing his home out of fear for his life.
Regarding the matter, Nandail Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Azharul Islam stated that necessary legal action will be taken based on an investigation once a written complaint is received from the victim’s family.
