Bangladesh A cricketer, Tophael Ahmed Raihan has been formally charged in a sexual assault case after police filed a detailed charge sheet with the court. The bowling all-rounder is accused of repeatedly assaulting a young woman after allegedly luring her with the promise of marriage.
The matter first came to light when the complainant lodged a complaint at Gulshan police station on August 1, accusing Tophael of non-consensual sexual acts committed over several months. She alleged that the cricketer made contact via Facebook in January and gradually pressured her into a relationship by repeatedly assuring her marriage. Despite obtaining anticipatory bail from the Supreme Court, Tophael did not comply with the court’s directive to surrender. The police investigation has now reached its first conclusion with the filing of the indictment form.
According to the investigating officer, Sub-Inspector Md Samuel Islam of Gulshan police station, the charge sheet was filed after prima facie evidence supported the woman’s allegations. The charge was filed under section 9(1) of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, which deals with rape-related offences. Police confirmed that witness statements, hotel booking documents, medical reports and digital communications data constituted the evidence included in the complaint.
Next hearing scheduled for December 30
File documents show that Tofael first approached the woman on Facebook in January. Although she initially refused a romantic relationship, she later agreed after he assured her of marriage. On January 31, Tofael allegedly took her to a hotel in Gulshan, introduced her as his wife and forcibly engaged in sexual acts. The charge sheet states that similar incidents occurred several times in the following months.
When the woman insisted on marriage, Tofael reportedly refused, prompting her to file a police complaint. During the investigation, police recovered hotel guest registration forms and passport copies of both individuals. Although no physical or DNA evidence could be collected because the complaint was filed six months after the alleged initial incident, investigators concluded that the available documentation, medical examination, and consistent statements made by the complainant were sufficient to support the allegations.
Notably, after securing six weeks’ interim bail on September 24, the Supreme Court ordered Tofael to surrender to the Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal. However, he failed to do so even after the bail period expired. During this time he also traveled to Hong Kong to represent Bangladesh A in a six-a-side tournament. Court sources have confirmed that the next hearing is scheduled for December 30, when the charges will be formally presented.
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