Outrage, shock over Nusraat Faria’s arrest

A Dhaka court yesterday sent actor Nusraat Faria to jail in connection with an attempted murder case linked to the July uprising.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Sarah Farzana Haque passed the order after police produced her before the court.

The court set May 22 to hear the bail petition after her lawyer Iftekhar Hossain submitted her travel documents and stated that she had been in Canada between July 9 and August 13, when the offence occurred in Dhaka's Bhatara area.

Meanwhile, Home Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has defended her arrest, saying, "If a case is pending against her, what can you do?"'

Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, on the other hand, said, "The arrest of Nusraat Faria is an embarrassing incident for us."

The arrest has drawn widespread criticism from artistes and cultural figures, especially those who were vocal during the July uprising.

The actor was escorted to the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court in Dhaka amid tight security around 10:00am yesterday, a day after she was arrested at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport before boarding a flight.

During the half-hour hearing, she stood silently in the dock.

At one point, the investigator was asked to submit a report verifying Faria's visa-related documents, which had been presented in support of the bail petition.

On March 27 this year, one Enamul Haque, who suffered bullet injuries on July 19 last year during the protests in Bhatara, filed the case with the court against deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, 17 actors, and 265 others.

On April 29, the officer-in-charge of Bhatara Police Station registered it as a First Information Report in line with the court's directive.

WHAT THE ADVISERS SAID

Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat yesterday afternoon, Home Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said, "If we had allowed her to leave, you would have said, 'Sir, you let her go.'"

He made the comments though he and Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam on several occasions stated that no innocent persons would be harassed or arrested even if they were listed as accused in cases.

The IGP had earlier acknowledged that many people had been falsely implicated in cases filed in the aftermath of the July uprising.

In response to a question yesterday, Jahangir said, "We have repeatedly said we will ensure no one faces unnecessary harassment or suffering. Legal action will be taken only against those involved in criminal activities. No innocent person will be punished under any circumstances."

In a Facebook post, Cultural Affairs Adviser Farooki said, "I generally try not to speak beyond the responsibilities of my ministry. But I do have an identity -- I was a part of this industry and will be returning to it. The arrest of Nusraat Faria is an embarrassing incident for us.

"It is the responsibility of our government to bring actual offenders from the July [uprising] cases to justice. When it comes to blanket cases, our stance is clear: no one will be arrested without a preliminary investigation indicating involvement. And that policy was being followed."

Farooki noted that although a case had existed against Faria for some time, there had been no apparent move by the government to arrest her prior to the conclusion of the investigation. "But the incident occurred right after she arrived at the airport."

He also drew connections between the timing of the arrest and recent political tensions, particularly public outrage over former president Abdul Hamid's travel abroad.

"Perhaps, following the outrage over Abdul Hamid's departure, these events unfolded due to 'over-nervousness' ... These incidents are in no way justifiable."

Farooki expressed hope that Faria would receive appropriate legal recourse and concluded by urging more sensitivity in handling sweeping cases.

NCP CONDEMNS

The arrest and imprisonment of actor Nusraat Faria in an attempted murder case has turned the judicial process of the country into a mockery, National Citizen Party (NCP) said in a statement yesterday.

"We have witnessed how, earlier this month, former president Abdul Hamid, who was accused of orchestrating attacks and shootings during the July uprising, left the country without any obstacles. The identities of 626 individuals who took shelter in different cantonments following the uprising remain undisclosed.

"Moreover, the fallen fascist regime and its supporters, who were directly involved in the July massacre, continue to operate freely in public spaces and on social media, engaging in anti-citizen activities," reads the statement.

The NCP said that the arrest and imprisonment in such a showpiece case where people were made accused sweepingly, have set a precedent of undermining the judicial process regarding the July massacre.

It also called upon the law enforcement agencies to remain cautious in accepting cases, taking into account the widespread misuse of cases and the growing trend of turning legal proceedings into a commercial enterprise.

ACTORS EQUITY STATEMENT

The Actors Equity has released a statement condemning the arrests and lawsuits against artistes.

"Artistes have always been vocal and conscious in serving and safeguarding the interests of society and the state. Not only that, their role in any humanitarian need is also undeniable. Therefore, we believe that protecting the interests and dignity of these artistes is a moral responsibility of society and the state."

It added that the ongoing organised attempts to tarnish the image of the cultural community must come to an end.

"In this regard, we expect the government to take fair and non-discriminatory actions. We always remain respectful toward justice."

ACTORS, DIRECTORS SPEAK OUT

National Award-winning actor Azmeri Haque Badhan condemned the arrest, calling it "unacceptable" and reflective of a system where "basic rights" are no longer upheld.

Television actor Khairul Basar questioned the logic of punishing an artiste for performing a scripted role in a government-commissioned film. "She hasn't even been politically active. Then why is she being harassed?" he wrote on Facebook.

Nusraat Faria played the role of Sheikh Hasina in the film "Mujib - the making of a nation", which was released in 2023.

Filmmaker Shihab Shaheen labelled the case "absurd" and a form of "harassment," replying to a commenter who accused Faria of siding with a tyrannical regime.

"She acted in a film. Does that make her an accomplice?" he asked.

Director Ashfaque Nipun criticised the practice of targeting "soft figures" like artistes while real offenders evade justice. He called the charges against Faria, who was abroad during the alleged incident, a troubling misuse of the legal system.