Home Affairs Advisor Responds to Farooki's Criticism

Actress Nusraat Faria has been arrested in connection with an attempted murder case tied to the anti-discrimination movement, filed at Vatara Police Station in Dhaka. Her arrest has sparked widespread public debate and criticism. Interim Cultural Affairs Advisor Mostofa Sarwar Farooki called the arrest "embarrassing" for the government and said he could not support it.

In response, Home Affairs Advisor Lieutenant General (Retd.) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury addressed the matter during a briefing at the Ministry of Home Affairs on Monday. He said, "I'm not aware of what the cultural advisor said, but he's entitled to his opinion. Everyone has the right to express their views."

He added, "We will ensure that only the guilty are prosecuted and punished, and no innocent person suffers unjustly. The investigation against Nusraat Faria is still ongoing."

When asked about her detention at the airport, Chowdhury explained, "If there's a case against someone, what should be done? If we had let her leave, people would’ve accused us of inaction. There's a clear policy regarding travel bans, and those who fall under it are detained."

A Dhaka court has ordered that Nusrat Faria be held in custody in connection with the case. Her bail hearing is scheduled for May 22.

Faria was detained by immigration police at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Sunday, May 18, while attempting to fly to Thailand. She was handed over to the Vatara police and later taken to the Detective Branch office for questioning. Following the interrogation, she was officially arrested under the Vatara case.

According to case documents, the charges stem from her alleged opposition to the 2024 anti-discrimination movement. She is accused of supporting the ruling Awami League financially and aiding efforts against the movement.