Shipra: We were searched, detained without warrant

Shipra Rani Debnath, a member of slain Major (retd) Sinha Mohammad Rashed Khan's film crew, has said police searched and detained them without a warrant on August 1.

She made the claims in a video message sent to Maasranga Television which the channel published on its official Facebook page on Monday afternoon.

Shipra said: “After midnight 10 or 12 policemen entered the resort (Himchhari’s Nilima Resort) where we were staying and started searching us without any warrant or female cop. We asked them about major SInha and our co-worker Sifat but they did not give us any information.

“After 2:30am, a few more officers in civil dress came in who answered that Sinha is dead.”

Shipra and her co-worker Tahsin Rifat Noor were then taken to Ramu police station around 4:30am and shifted to the office of superintendent of police on the next day afternoon.

“I urged them to let me see Major Sinha for the last time but nobody listened to me,” she added.

Shipra also said that she was alone taken to Cox’s Bazar jail around 8:30pm, where she came to know that she was accused in a narcotics case. 

Social harassment

“After killing Major Sinha, they are now socially harassing me and my co-worker Sifat,” she added.

On August 1, police also seized their laptops, hard drives, camera, lens and other equipment, which were not mentioned in the seizure list. Now, Shipra has no idea from where to claim them back.

“They took my personal photographs from social media and different projects, photoshopped and tailored them, and published them for various purposes. The so-called responsible police officers have shared those pictures on Facebook,” said Shipra.

“Fake Facebook and Instagram accounts were created in my name. I promise to take action against all those who tried to defame me under the Digital Security Act.”

Shipra also said: “Their effort to defame me is an act of disrespect and oppression against all those women who work outside. Our prime minister is also a woman, hopefully she will reconsider our security.

Also Read - HC to hear writ seeking action against posting Shipra’s photos on Facebook Tuesday

“I am not blaming the entire police force. There are many honest cops but necessary action needs to be taken against these officers with sick mentality who can murder anyone and socially harass a woman.

“I demand justice for the major Sinha killing and the harassment against me and my coworkers, expect the law-enforcers to work properly, and want safety assurance for all the people of the country,” she added.

On Sunday, a writ petition was filed with the High Court seeking action against two police officers who posted personal pictures of Shipra on Facebook.

Major Sinha was killed in police firing at the Baharchhara police check-post in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar, on the night of July 31. 

His older sister, Sharmin Shahriar Ferdous, later filed a case with the Teknaf Senior Judicial Magistrate Court over the killing, against a number of policemen of Teknaf police station.

Shipra and Shahedul Islam Sifat were arrested after police filed separate cases against them. Sifat was released on bail last Monday.

Shipra was arrested in a case filed on charges of possessing liquor and marijuana. Shipra was later released on bail last Sunday amid widespread protests.