Dhaka Stream staff death: 5 prominent women demand probe into harassment allegations

Five prominent women have demanded a thorough investigation into allegations of sexual harassment and institutional accountability following the death of a female employee of the online news outlet Dhaka Stream.

In an open letter addressed to Editor Golam Iftekhar Mahmud, they questioned whether proper procedures were followed after the allegations were made.

The letter was signed by Professor Rehnuma Ahmed, Professor Gitiara Nasreen, Professor Mirza Taslima Sultana, researcher and rights activist Sayeeda Gulrukh, and Dhaka University teacher Samina Luthfa. Identifying themselves as women’s rights activists, they also made the letter public on social media.

The body of Dhaka Stream’s graphic designer, Swarnamoyee Biswas (28), was recovered on Saturday night from a private hospital in Dhanmondi. Police initially suspect suicide, but many on social media have blamed the workplace environment for her death.

Reports suggest that Swarnamoyee and 26 other employees had filed complaints of sexual harassment against the head of the organisation’s Bangla section, Altaf Shahnewaz.

The letter raised questions about whether the inquiry committee was formed in accordance with High Court directives, whether it included an external member, and why the allegations were categorised merely as ‘misconduct’.

It further stated that information obtained directly from victims does not align with the organisation’s official statement, raising concerns about its institutional stance.

As of the time of reporting, Dhaka Stream authorities have not issued any formal response, though the issue continues to spark widespread discussion across social media.