Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has arrested popular content creator Ripon Mia, 33, widely known as “Ripon Video,” in connection with a rape case involving a teenage girl in Netrokona.
A team from RAB-14 arrested him during a raid in Mohisharon village of Gauripur upazila in Mymensingh district early Friday. Following preliminary interrogation, he was handed over to Netrokona Model Police Station.
The arrest was confirmed in a RAB press release issued on Friday afternoon. Netrokona Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Abul Khayer said the accused would be produced before a court after the completion of legal formalities.
According to police and local sources, Ripon, a resident of South Bishiura village in Netrokona Sadar upazila, worked as a carpenter before gaining popularity on Facebook through regional-language content under the name “Ripon Video.” He later came into the spotlight through sponsored domestic and international travel and other activities, while also drawing criticism over aspects of his personal life.
According to the case allegations, Ripon developed a relationship with a teenage girl from his village after allegedly promising to help her become a content creator. Local residents reportedly found the two in a compromising situation on July 30. Although efforts were allegedly made to suppress the matter, it later became widely known in the village, triggering discussions and mediation attempts.
A local arbitration reportedly held at a ward BNP office on August 3 ended with Ripon admitting wrongdoing, according to local sources. The arbitration panel imposed a fine of Tk 500,000 and instructed him to leave the village.
Police later located the girl's family and assisted them in filing a case. On August 5, the victim’s father filed a rape case against Ripon under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act with Netrokona Model Police Station, naming him as the sole accused.
Ripon had reportedly been in hiding since the case was filed before being arrested by RAB in Gauripur early Friday.
FP/R
