Administration's role questioned : Sexual assault against Mirzaganj Shrine accountant alleged again
Patuakhali Correspondent
The name of the shrine's accountant, Md. Sohag Mallick, has once again emerged as the center of controversy surrounding the historic Hazrat Yar Uddin Khalifa (R.H.) Shrine in Mirzaganj Upazila of Patuakhali.
Although he has been repeatedly accused in this incident, the role in the administration is questionable.
It is learnt that a victim, Mosa Salma Begum, has submitted a written application to the Deputy Commissioner and Waqf Administrator of Bangladesh making serious allegations of long-term physical relations, abortions, and evasion from legal recognition on the promise of marriage.
The victim, Salma Begum, alleged that her husband has been staying in Malaysia for the past 9 years and has not kept any contact with him. In this situation, the shrine's accountant, Sohag Mallick, who is known to be locally influential, developed a relationship with her.
“He rented a house for me in Dhaka, we also lived together in Barishal. I got pregnant, but later he gave me drugs and ruined the baby. Now he is not even registering, but is insulting me about my age and past relationships.”
The written complaint further states that they have been living together as husband and wife for three years. Now Sohag is strategically backing away from the promise of marriage, which is a direct violation of women’s rights and fraud.
The charge sheet states that five witnesses are ready to give their statements in support of Salma Begum’s allegations. Three locals and two more from Barisal city know the background of the relationship, the change of residence and the information about the pregnancy as eyewitnesses.
This is not the first time. It has been revealed by searching local sources and documents that there are four serious allegations against Sohag Mallick in the past, a woman named Sumi filed a case against him, which is still ongoing. Some of these allegations have also been published in national newspapers. Not only that, he has been accused of multiple financial corruptions in various departments related to embezzlement of money from the shrine's donation box, allocation and cancellation of shops in exchange for bribes, purchases using fake vouchers, and embezzlement of money from donation box collectors.
Locals have alleged that behind Sohag Mallick is the shadow of a powerful family. His father Yunus Mallick is the driver of the Upazila Nirbahi Officer's official vehicle, which helps him expand his administrative influence. In addition, since he is close to the long-time general secretary of the shrine's management committee, Md. Shahid Mallick, no one can easily speak out against him.
Sohag Mallick said, "I understand that the honor of the shrine is being tarnished. However, there is a conspiracy against me. Please don't kick me in the stomach. We will talk in person." Then he hung up the phone.
An elderly local man expressed his anger and said, "If fraudsters and corrupt people find shelter in a place where people trust, then where will the common people go?"
The victim, Salma Begum, alleged that her husband has been staying in Malaysia for the past 9 years and has not kept any contact with him. In this situation, the shrine's accountant, Sohag Mallick, who is known to be locally influential, developed a relationship with her.
“He rented a house for me in Dhaka, we also lived together in Barishal. I got pregnant, but later he gave me drugs and ruined the baby. Now he is not even registering, but is insulting me about my age and past relationships.”
The written complaint further states that they have been living together as husband and wife for three years. Now Sohag is strategically backing away from the promise of marriage, which is a direct violation of women’s rights and fraud.
The charge sheet states that five witnesses are ready to give their statements in support of Salma Begum’s allegations. Three locals and two more from Barisal city know the background of the relationship, the change of residence and the information about the pregnancy as eyewitnesses.
This is not the first time. It has been revealed by searching local sources and documents that there are four serious allegations against Sohag Mallick in the past, a woman named Sumi filed a case against him, which is still ongoing. Some of these allegations have also been published in national newspapers. Not only that, he has been accused of multiple financial corruptions in various departments related to embezzlement of money from the shrine's donation box, allocation and cancellation of shops in exchange for bribes, purchases using fake vouchers, and embezzlement of money from donation box collectors.
Locals have alleged that behind Sohag Mallick is the shadow of a powerful family. His father Yunus Mallick is the driver of the Upazila Nirbahi Officer's official vehicle, which helps him expand his administrative influence. In addition, since he is close to the long-time general secretary of the shrine's management committee, Md. Shahid Mallick, no one can easily speak out against him.
Sohag Mallick said, "I understand that the honor of the shrine is being tarnished. However, there is a conspiracy against me. Please don't kick me in the stomach. We will talk in person." Then he hung up the phone.
An elderly local man expressed his anger and said, "If fraudsters and corrupt people find shelter in a place where people trust, then where will the common people go?"
