Advisor Farooki terms actress Nusraat Faria's arrest 'embarrassing'

Cultural Affairs Advisor Mostofa Sarwar Farooki believes that the arrest of actress Nusraat Faria may have been triggered by “nervous overreaction” following the public backlash over former president Abdul Hamid’s recent departure from the country.

In a post on Facebook on Monday, Farooki said: "Following the backlash over the former president Abdul Hamid’s foreign trip, there may have been an overreaction driven by nervousness. A similar incident happened a few days ago involving Barrister Andaleeve Rahman Partho’s wife."

"These incidents are by no means justifiable. I believe Faria will get legal remedy."

The controversy began on the night of May 7, when senior Awami League figure Abdul Hamid left the country. Amid widespread public scrutiny surrounding his departure, disciplinary action was taken against four police officials, including the superintendent of police in Kishoreganj, for alleged negligence. A three-strong high-level investigation committee was also formed under the Chief Advisor’s Office.

Describing Nusraat's arrest as “embarrassing”, Farooki said: "The government's job is to prosecute the actual transgressors during the July Uprising. Our stated policy has been clear -- no one will be arrested in broad, indiscriminate cases unless preliminary investigation establishes involvement. That policy had been followed."

"This case against Faria has been around for some time. Until now, I wasn’t aware of any government move to arrest her before the investigation concluded."

Farooki, who transitioned from the world of showbiz to serving in the interim government as an advisor, added: "We must handle these broad-based cases with greater sensitivity. We should remember our core duty is to bring the real perpetrators of the incidents during the July movement to justice."

Nusraat was arrested at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Sunday while preparing to fly to Thailand. On Monday, a Dhaka court ordered her to be sent to jail. She is implicated in an attempted murder case linked to an incident during the July Uprising. A bail hearing has been scheduled for May 22.

Taking to Facebook following the court's order, Farooki wrote: "I usually try not to comment beyond the scope of my ministry. But I do have an identity. I come from this industry, and I will be returning to it soon."

The case was filed in March by an individual named Enamul Haque at Dhaka's Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s court, accusing 283 people. The Vatara Police Station recorded the complaint on Apr 29 on the court’s orders.

According to the case details, during the Anti-discrimination Student Movement protests on Jul 19 last year, protesters gathered in front of Vatara Police Station. There was gunfire during the demonstration and Enamul was shot in the leg. He later received treatment at a hospital.

Nusraat’s career began as a radio jockey and presenter. She made her acting debut in the 2015 Bangladesh-India joint production film ”Aashiqui: True Love”.

She also played the role of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina in the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman biopic “Mujib: The Making of a Nation”. In addition to acting, Nusraat is also a singer.