An East London councillor has been charged with perverting the course of justice after allegedly attempting to influence a 16-year-old girl into dropping her rape allegation.
Councillor Abdul Malik Facing Charges
Abdul Malik, 50, who represents Blackwall and Cubitt Town ward on Tower Hamlets Council, was due to appear at Thames Magistrates’ Court on Friday to face the charge for the first time.
Malik is accused of interfering in the criminal case involving the teenage girl, in an attempt to persuade her to withdraw her allegation.
Two Others Also Accused
Alongside Malik, two other individuals have also been charged in connection with the case:
- Abdul Roqib, 45, is accused of contacting the 16-year-old on January 10 to ask her to drop the charges against his son, an action which allegedly sought to pervert the course of justice.
- Rahela Begum, 41, is also accused of contacting the girl on the same day in an effort to convince her to withdraw from the criminal proceedings.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings
All three accused are now facing prosecution, with the case expected to progress through the criminal courts.
The Tower Hamlets Council has not yet issued a statement regarding Malik’s position or whether he will be suspended pending the outcome of the case.
