Key Points
- East London Cllr Abdul Malik, 50, charged with perverting the course of justice
- Allegedly tried to convince a 16-year-old girl to drop rape allegations
- Accused of contacting the complainant’s father to influence the case
- Incident allegedly occurred on January 23
- Two other individuals, Abdul Roqib, 45, and Rahela Begum, 41, also charged
- Both allegedly contacted the girl on January 10 to pressure her to withdraw allegations
- All three suspects appeared in Thames Magistrates’ Court
- Malik is a councillor for the Aspire Party in Tower Hamlets
- He currently chairs the Human Resources Committee and sits on the Licensing Committee
- It is understood all three were held in custody before the court hearing
Who is Abdul Malik and What is He Accused of?
Tower Hamlets councillor Abdul Malik, 50, has been charged with perverting the course of justice after allegedly attempting to pressure a 16-year-old girl into dropping a rape allegation. Malik, who represents the Blackwall and Cubitt Town ward, was due to appear at Thames Magistrates’ Court on Friday to face the charge.
According to the prosecution, Malik is accused of contacting the father of the complainant and instructing him to convince his daughter to drop the charges against the male suspect in custody. The alleged incident took place on January 23, with claims that Malik’s actions were aimed at interfering with the judicial process.
Who Else is Involved in the Case?
Two other individuals—Abdul Roqib, 45, and Rahela Begum, 41—are also facing charges of perverting the course of justice.
- Roqib is accused of directly contacting the girl on January 10, allegedly urging her to withdraw her complaint against his son, the suspected rapist.
- Begum is also said to have contacted the teenager on the same day, allegedly pressuring her to step away from the criminal case.
All three defendants were held in custody before their court appearance.
What is Abdul Malik’s Political Background?
Malik is a Tower Hamlets councillor for the Aspire Party, the political group led by directly-elected Mayor Lutfur Rahman.
Since being elected to the council in 2022, he has taken on key roles, currently serving as:
- Chair of the Human Resources Committee
- Member of the Licensing Committee
His involvement in this serious legal case has raised questions about his future in local government.
What Happens Next in the Legal Process?
Malik, along with Roqib and Begum, is facing a charge of committing an act or series of acts with intent to pervert the course of public justice.
The court proceedings are expected to determine the next legal steps, with all three defendants potentially facing further questioning and legal consequences.
This case has sparked public and political concern, given Malik’s position of authority within the council. More details are expected to emerge as the investigation and court process continue.
