Women threatened in Adabor thana: How BNP leader's attempt to save accused turned him into villain

Screengrab from viral video

An incident of a man yelling at and threatening a woman in the capital's Adabor police station recently went viral on social media. 

Commenters pointed out that the man giving the threat – that he would have the woman arrested and make her life hell – was a BNP leader, which sparked further conversations. 

The Business Standard set out to learn what happened during the incident. In the short video, there was indeed more than that which met the idea. 

The person shouting has been identified as Monowar Hossain Jibon, also known as Ledu Hasan. He is the joint convener of Adabor Thana BNP. 

On the other hand, the person being shouted at has been identified as Mahmuda Monowar Rina. 

Although Rina doesn't hold any political post, she is the younger sister of Adabar Thana Mahila Awami League President Rosy Joyita.

Contacted, Ledu recounted his version of the events, which he said the around 18 second video clip which went viral did not fully capture.

"On 16 May, at around 7pm, Labiba, daughter of Awami Mahila League leader Rosy Joyita, called me and told me that her mother had been detained by some students and the public. She said that her mother was sick and requested that I rescue her and hand her over to the police. Later, when I went to the spot, the police also arrived."

He said then they went to the police station where he found that Joyti had been made accused in a case related to the Anti-discrimination Student Movement. 

"I requested the investigation officer of the case to make arrangements of treatment and food since Joyti was ill," he added.

At this point, the investigation officer turned to Joyti's sister, Rina, and told her: "the person against whom your sister has complained several times has now come to arrange food for her."

Hearing this, according to Ledu, Rina uttered a foul word against him, suggesting it was Ledu who had gotten Joyti arrested and was now acting like the better person. 

"At this, I lost my temper and spoke loudly to Rina, which was seen in the video footage," Ledu said. 

"Many media outlets have presented the accused as the plaintiff, which is not true. Various types of propaganda have also been spread against me, which is purposeful and misleading."

Speaking to Joyti's daughter, Labiba Taha – who had first called Ledu – TBS learned more.

"We have known Ledu uncle for a long time. When people came to take my mother, I called Ledu uncle for help. There was a misunderstanding between my uncle and my younger aunt about something. In that context, my uncle spoke a little loudly."

Confirming the incident, Adabor Police Station Officer-in-Charge SM Zakaria told TBS that on that day Ledu came to the police station and requested that Joyita be given medical treatment and food. 

At that time, Joyita's sister said something, in the context of which Ledu Hasan lost his temper and spoke loudly.

"Joyita is not the plaintiff; she is the accused in a case," he added.