Rape accused in jail becomes candidate with boat symbol in Munshiganj UP polls

Mir Liaquat Ali, accused in a rape case, has become the candidate with Awami League’s boat symbol in the upcoming union parishad election at Kola union of Sirajdikhan upazila under Munshiganj district. He is currently in Dhaka Central Jail.

Awami League published the list of party candidates for the fourth phase of union parishad election on Tuesday. It contains the name of Liaquat, chairman of Kola union parishad. He was accused in a case filed over rape of an adolescent in 2019.

Victim’s mother filed a complaint against him at Munshiganj Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal.

Hasan Mohammad Touhidul Islam, deputy jailer of Dhaka Central Jail, confirmed to our Munshiganj correspondent at 12:30pm today that Liaquat was in Dhaka Central Jail.

Sirajdikhan Upazila Awami League President and Upazila Parishad Chairman Mohiuddin Ahmed said, “Four candidates had applied for the nomination with boat symbol from Kola union in the upcoming UP polls. Among them, the current chairman Mir Liaquat Ali has been nominated by Awami League as the chairman candidate. He applied for the nomination from jail. Liaquat is accused in a rape case and is in jail. However, the case is false. Voters are not dissatisfied with him.”

Awami League’s Munshiganj district general secretary Lutfar Rahman said, “The nomination application form was sent to the centre, mentioning that Liaquat was accused in the rape case and was in jail. There are allegations against him but he is not convicted. He is the current chairman. If he is not found guilty in the case, he can be nominated. There are no barriers to participation in elections.”

Mir Liaquat Ali’s younger brother Jewel Mir claimed, “Liaquat has been ill for several days. He can’t speak. He is being treated at a hospital in Dhaka. He will get well soon and come back to the area.”

Voting is scheduled to be held on December 26 in 14 unions of Sirajdikhan upazila.

thedailystar

Leave a Reply