Fish farmer throws shoe at ACC chairman during Bogura public hearing over delayed chance to speak

A fish farmer reportedly hurled a shoe at Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Chairman Mohammad Abdul Momen during a public hearing in Bogura, expressing frustration over not getting a chance to speak.

The incident occurred at around 10:45am at the Shaheed Titu Auditorium when the man, identified as Sakawat Hossain, threw a shoe at him.

According to those present, Sakawat Hossain Mondal was immediately removed from the venue. He was later allowed to re-enter and told that his complaint would be heard on stage, but ultimately, he was never called up.

When asked for his reasons, Sakawat, a fish farmer from Sonatala upazila, said, "I wanted to present my complaint at today's public hearing. But I couldn't even get a chance to speak. So, I threw the shoe to get attention and an opportunity to speak. I am content that I could do this, even if it brings punishment."

Asked about his complaint, he said his fish farm was seized on 17 May 2015 by the brother-in-law of the then-local member of parliament after he had spoken out against the lawmaker's attempt to bypass the voting process to make his relative the head of a school's management committee.

Since then, Sakawat claims that he has filed complaints with local police, the deputy commissioner, superintendent of police, and various other offices in Dhaka and even with the interim government, but has yet to receive justice.

"I have been met with non-cooperation everywhere, and this has built up my anger," he said.

Meanwhile, when journalists questioned the ACC chairman about the incident, he evaded the topic. 

After the event, he told reporters, "Where did a shoe-throwing incident happen? I haven't heard anything of the sort. It's a journalist's job to verify information. What happens if a journalist makes such a statement or gives such provocation?"

However, Abul Kalam Azad, a Bogura correspondent for Ekushey Television, who was present at the hearing, confirmed the event.

"Sakawat Hossain was sitting right next to me. He suddenly threw both of his black shoes. After that, ACC officials escorted him out of the hall," he said.

The public hearing was organised by the ACC to address complaints of bribery, corruption, and harassment.

A total of 97 complaints were submitted against 32 departments, and 57 were heard.

During the hearing, the ACC chairman ordered the arrest of a local official from Padma Insurance and two individuals claiming to be officials of a fake university for their failure to appear. He also announced that the graft body would open investigations into alleged corruption in a four-lane road project and a river excavation project.