Home adviser defends Nusraat Faria's arrest, says letting her go would've raised questions as well
“If a case is pending against her, what will you do?” says Jahangir Alam Chowdhury
Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has seemingly defended the arrest of actress Nusraat Faria in an attempt to murder case, saying questions would have been raised if she was allowed to leave the country.
"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'," Jahangir said when reporters today (19 May) asked him about Faria's arrest from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport yesterday (18 May).
The investigation in the case against her is yet to be completed, he added while responding to questions during a press briefing at the Secretariat following a meeting on law and order.
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"I don't know what she [Faria] did. We are saying that she should not suffer punishment without a reason. We will be able to say more after the investigation against her is complete," said the home adviser.
Regarding Culture Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki calling Faria's arrest 'embarrassing', he said, "I don't know what the Culture Adviser said. What he said is his personal opinion. Everyone has the freedom to express their opinion."
During today's briefing, Jahangir reiterated that they would ensure that no innocent person is harassed in the July Uprising cases, reports BSS.
"We will take measures so that no innocent person is harassed. Only the miscreants will be exposed to justice," he said.
Replying to another question, Jahangir said Bangladesh Jatiya Party Chairman Andaleeve Rahman Partho's wife was not arrested while going abroad, as there was no case against her.
About travel restrictions in case of having cases, he said there is a policy about it, and the people who fall under the policy are being restricted from going abroad.
The case, in which Nusraat Faria is accused among others, relates to an attempted murder incident in the capital's Bhatara area during the anti-discrimination movement of 2024. A Dhaka Court today ordered Faria to be sent to jail and set 22 May for a hearing on her bail plea.
Earlier today, Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki said Faria's arrest likely happened due to the nervousness of authorities concerned after many expressed anger over the foreign travel of former president Abdul Hamid.
He also described Faria's arrest as "an embarrassing incident" and called for more sensitivity in handling such cases.
