The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has arrested content creator Ripon Mia, 33, the prime accused in a case over the alleged rape of a 14-year-old schoolgirl in Netrokona Sadar upazila.
RAB-14 arrested Ripon on Friday morning from the Mohisharon–Achintapur area of Mymensingh’s Gauripur upazila. A RAB-14 press release said its headquarters company arrested him during an operation based on a tip-off. Ripon had been absconding. The force later handed him over to Netrokona Model Police Station.
According to the case statement and police sources, Ripon allegedly harassed the girl on several occasions while claiming he wanted to make videos. On 30 July around 8pm, he allegedly took her from her home to the northern bank of the Magra River on the pretext of discussing an urgent matter and raped her.
A local mediation meeting later decided to fine Ripon Tk 500,000 and expel him from the village. Videos of the meeting spread on Facebook, prompting public attention. In one 30-second video, Ripon appears to admit the allegation and apologise.
The girl’s father filed the case with Netrokona Model Police Station on Tuesday night. OC Abul Khair said Ripon had been arrested and produced before a court.
Ripon, a carpenter from a village in Netrokona Sadar, began making social media videos in 2016. His Facebook page, launched in 2019, now has around 1.9 million followers.
