Council member Abdul Malik is charged with trying to get a 16 year old rape victim to drop charges.
Malik, age 50, represents Blackwall and Cubitt Town. He’s on Tower Hamlets Council. He will appear in court next month. The initial hearing was February 14.
The documents allege Malik contacted a rape victim’s father. He reportedly told the father to drop charges. This allegedly concerned his 16-year-old daughter’s case. The alleged goal was to free the accused from custody.
Prosecutors claim this action obstructed justice. The incident allegedly occurred on January 23. Two others also face this charge: Abdul Roqib, 45, and Rahela Begum, 41, are co-defendants. They also allegedly contacted the rape victim.
The pair allegedly asked her to drop the charges. A hearing occurred at Thames Magistrates Court. Malik and his co-defendants are in custody. They await a hearing on March 14 at Snaresbrook Crown Court.
Malik chairs the Human Resources Committee. He joined the council in 2022. He belongs to the Aspire Party. Lutfur Rahman, the mayor, leads the party. Tower Hamlets Council cannot comment currently. Legal proceedings are ongoing.