Reports are being circulated claiming that four senior leaders of the Awami League and its affiliated organizations were arrested in Kolkata on charges of rape. However, the actual reason behind their detention was for illegally entering India without valid travel documents.
Bangladeshi media outlets like Dhaka Tribune, Daily Sun reported that four Bangladeshi nationals linked to the Awami League and its affiliate bodies in Sylhet have been arrested in India’s West Bengal over rape allegations.
Sharing the article on X (Formerly Twitter) @ZafarSobhan wrote, “4 Awami League leaders arrested in Kolkata over rape allegations”
Posted without comment
— Zafar Sobhan (@ZafarSobhan) December 10, 2024
4 Awami League leaders arrested in Kolkata over rape allegations https://t.co/Sh1hqFqqkU
Another user @daccanomics also made a post and wrote. “Four high-ranking leaders of the Awami League and its affiliate organizations have been arrested on allegations of rape. The arrests were made by the Shillong Police, with assistance from Kolkata Police, at a flat in Kolkata’s Newtown area on Sunday, December 8.
Four high-ranking leaders of the Awami League and its affiliate organizations have been arrested on allegations of rape. The arrests were made by the Shillong Police, with assistance from Kolkata Police, at a flat in Kolkata's Newtown area on Sunday, December 8. pic.twitter.com/zbkV3dUsBK
— Daccanomics 🇧🇩 (@daccanomics) December 10, 2024
Several other users and Influencers have also disseminated the claims. Their posts can be seen here, @DhakaIraj, @THEBANGLAD8531, @islam101028
The truth behind the claims about Awami League Leaders, Fact Check
As soon as the posts containing the claims came to our notice. Subsequently, we conducted research and analysis regarding the claims. And found that these individuals were arrested for illegally entering India, not rape allegations.
To verify the claims made by the users and media outlets. We performed relevant keyword searches and found a verified and credible report regarding the incident. According to the report, Four leaders of ousted Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League were arrested by Shillong police in a joint operation with Bidhannagar police from Kolkata’s Newtown area on Sunday.
The accused were Awami League General Secretary of Sylhet district and ousted chairman of Zilla Parishad Nasiruddin Khan; president of Sylhet Metropolitan Youth League, Alam Khan Mukti. Vice president of Sylhet Metropolitan Youth League, Abdul Latif Ripon; and Metropolitan Awami League member Ilyas Ahmad Jewel.
The leaders have been booked under the Foreigners Act charge of illegal entry into India as well as sections 118(1) (voluntarily causing hurt), 309 (4) (robbery), 310 (2) (robbery), 324 (public property damage) of the BNS.
Therefore, it is evident from verified sources that the leaders were arrested for illegally entering India. Nothing to do with rape allegations.
2723
— D-Intent Data (@dintentdata) December 12, 2024
ANALYSIS: Misleading
FACT: Claims are being circulated asserting that four high-ranking leaders of the Awami League and its affiliate organizations have been arrested on allegations of rape in Kolkata. These individuals were arrested for illegally entering India. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/F2cJVpjvEO
Intent
Media outlets and Influencers are circulating misleading claims about the arrest of AL workers in Kolkata to set their narrative.
Conclusion
Claim– Four Awami League leaders arrested in Kolkata over rape allegations.
Fact – Four Awami League leaders arrested for illegally entering India.
Related Article: Fact Check: Video of injured Awami League woman falsely linked to crimes against Hindus in Bangladesh – D-Intent Data
