Youth arrested, released hours later

In a span of less than 12 hours, a youth arrested on Saturday for taking and uploading nude videos of a collage girl, was freed from Phulbari Police Station allegedly after settling the matter with the victim's family in co-operation with the local influential people.

The accused is Mehedi Hasan, 30, son of Safiqul Islam of Chawkchawa area under Phulbari municipality.

Sources said Mehedi built an extra-marital relationship with the girl and took her to the capital few months ago, luring her to provide a better job there.

Mehedi confined her to a rented room in Dhaka, recorded her naked videos by using his mobile phone set and later uploaded those on the internet.

After knowing the fact, victim's family members submitted a complaint to Phulbari Police Station on Friday.

Following the complaint, police detained Mehedi from his house early on Saturday.

Hearing the news of his arrest, some local influential people rushed to the police station and lobbied for his release.

Finally Mehedi's family and other influential people agreed to pay the victim's family Tk 1.7 lakh in exchange of his release.

Ataur Rahman, a local ward councillor, who was present during the negotiation, said considering the future of the girl, locals decided to fine Mehedi such a big amount.

Denying the monetary transaction, Mostaque Ahmed, officer-in-charge of Phulbari Police Station, said Mehedi was freed as the victim's family declined to resister the verbal complaint as a regular case.