Actress Nusraat Faria taken to Kashimpur Central Jail
- Nusraat's bail hearing on 22 May
- She is accused of funding AL, which opposed July movement
- Adviser Farooki calls arrest "embarrassing", links it to backlash over Hamid's travel
- Home adviser justifies arrest over pending case
- Hasnat Abdullah criticises arrest as "diversion tactic"
- Journalist David Bergman calls it "deeply troubling"
A Dhaka court today (19 May) sent popular actress Nusraat Faria to jail in connection with an attempted murder case, triggering widespread criticism from various quarters.
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Metropolitan Magistrate Naznin Akter passed the order after Nusraat was produced before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Court. She was later transferred to Kashimpur Central Women's Jail.
Nusraat is accused of financing the Awami League, which the complainant alleges opposed the Anti-Discrimination Movement. Her arrest has drawn strong criticism from netizens, politicians, civil society members, and advisers of the interim government.
Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki described Nusraat's arrest as "an embarrassing incident" and suggested it may have been caused by nervousness among the authorities following public anger over the foreign travel of former president Abdul Hamid.
In a Facebook post today, Farooki wrote, "I usually try not to speak outside the work of my ministry. But I also have an identity, I was a person from this [entertainment] industry and will return there soon. Nusraat's arrest remains an embarrassing incident for us."
He stressed sensitivity in handling such cases, saying, "Our government's job is to bring the real culprits of July to justice. Our clear stance on blanket cases is that no one will be arrested if no involvement is found during the preliminary investigation. And that policy was being followed."
Farooki added, "But this incident happened right after going to the airport. Perhaps these incidents are occurring out of nervousness following the anger expressed over the foreign travel of former president Abdul Hamid of the Awami League government."
Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, however, appeared to justify Nusraat's arrest, saying, "If a case is pending against her, what will you do? If we allowed her to leave, you would have said, 'Sir, you released her'."
At a press briefing at the Secretariat, he also noted that the investigation is ongoing.
Meanwhile, National Citizen Party (NCP) leader Hasnat Abdullah sharply criticised the interim government over Nusraat's arrest, accusing it of "attention-diverting tactics used by Sheikh Hasina's government".
In a Facebook post, Hasnat wrote, "A murderer directly involved in the killing was allowed to safely leave the country, and [former speaker of parliament] Shirin Sharmin's passport was made at her home under state supervision."
Referring to a list of individuals protected during last year's uprising, Hasnat said, "Interim, what happened to the list of 626 people? After safely getting those 626 people out, now you're arresting Nusraat in a murder case to make it look like you're delivering justice?
"This is not justice – this is Hasina-style attention diversion tactics."
In a statement issued later in the day, the NCP said Nusraat's imprisonment turned the judiciary into a farce.
British journalist David Bergman also remarked on Nusraat's arrest, saying the interim government "appears to be struggling with its moral and political direction".
In a Facebook post, Bergman said, "The arrest of Nusraat, who portrayed Sheikh Hasina in a film, marks a deeply troubling moment."
He added, "It now appears that simply being a known supporter of the Awami League, or having close associations with the party, is enough to make one a target. We have, I think, reached the point where such individuals can no longer feel safe in Bangladesh, where arbitrary arrest on baseless charges becomes a legitimate fear."
Nusraat was detained by immigration police at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Sunday as she attempted to travel to Thailand. She was later handed over to the Bhatara police station and taken to the Detective Branch office for further questioning.
Today, Sub-Inspector Billal Bhuiyan, the investigating officer, appealed to keep her in jail, while defence lawyers submitted a bail petition. Metropolitan Public Prosecutor Omar Faruk Faruki opposed the bail plea. The court scheduled the bail hearing for 22 May, reports UNB.
According to the case statement, Nusraat, along with actors Apu Biswas, Nipun Akter, Ashna Habib Bhabna, Zayed Khan, and 12 others, is accused in an attempted murder case linked to the July uprising in the Bhatara area.
The case, filed on 29 April at Bhatara police station following a court order, also names former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 283 others.
