Court sends singer Jahid Antu to jail after student accuses him of ‘sexual abuse’

The singer is accused of assaulting a student after a failed romance

A Dhaka court has sent singer Abu Jahid, also known as Jahid Antu, to jail following allegations of sexual assault brought by a student of Eden College.

Dhaka’s Metropolitan Magistrate Hasan Shahadat passed the order on Wednesday following the investigating officer's request, said Prosecution Police Sub-Inspector (SI) Tahmina Akter.

Presenting the singer before the court, the investigation officer and SI KM Rashidur Rahman petitioned for the defendant's continued detention.

The defence lawyer submitted a bail petition. The court set Thursday to hear it.

Antu was arrested in Gulshan Avenue on Wednesday after the student sued him.

According to the case, the woman first met him at a guitar lesson at Dhaka University's TSC last year.

They subsequently entered into a romantic relationship, but eventually parted ways and severed all communication, it says.

According to the student’s complaint, Antu used WhatsApp to invite her to his Gulshan residence on the evening of Mar 27 under the pretext of a photoshoot.

The student alleged that upon visiting the residence on Tuesday evening, she was subjected to sexual assault, mentioning that he “touched different sensitive parts of her body”.

According to her, the singer responded to resistance with an indiscriminate assault, leaving her with injuries to her face, throat, and head.

She also claimed she managed to escape and subsequently sought medical treatment at Kurmitola General Hospital with the assistance of her relatives.