Woman sued for Facebook live on bribery allegations against UNO

A case has been filed under the Cyber Security Act against Rehana Begum Urmi, who recently generated significant discussion on Facebook Live by accusing Tetulia Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Afroz Shahin Khosru of taking a bribe with the promise of a village police job. Meanwhile, the district administration stated that a primary investigation found no truth to the allegations brought against the UNO.

According to police sources, the case was filed at Tetulia Police Station, naming Rehana Begum Urmi as the primary accused alongside five to six unidentified individuals on Wednesday (July 1). The plaintiff of the case is Monwar, a contractual employee of the Tetulia upazila administration.

Panchagarh Superintendent of Police Md. Abu Saim confirmed that the matter is under investigation and the process of arresting the accused is underway.

The incident originated when Rehana Begum went live on Facebook after leaving the UNO office inside the Upazila Parishad premises on Monday afternoon. In the live broadcast, she tearfully claimed that the UNO had taken 180,000 BDT from her with the assurance of providing a job in the village police, and demanded her money back.

Later that day, she submitted a written complaint to the Deputy Commissioner, alleging that the UNO took the money promising a job for her son and subsequently intimidated and threatened her when she asked for a refund.

Denying the allegations, UNO Afroz Shahin Khosru stated that he does not know the woman and that she had never visited his office. He claimed that this was a planned conspiracy against him without any evidence.

He further stated that the village police recruitment process she referred to had been canceled long ago, and there was no application submitted under her son's name.

The incident triggered widespread discussion and criticism on social media. Subsequently, two human chains were formed in Tetulia in support of the UNO, protesting the "conspiracy" and demanding that those involved be brought to justice.

Panchagarh Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) S M Imam Raji Tulu mentioned that following the complaint, the Additional Deputy Commissioner (Education and ICT) was tasked with the investigation. After hearing statements from both parties, the primary probe found no evidence supporting the allegations.

On the other hand, Rehana Begum maintained her stance, claiming that she gathered the 180,000 BDT by selling her mother's land and borrowing money to pay the UNO. Upon learning about the UNO's transfer, she went to ask for the money back, but the claim was denied, which forced her to go on Facebook Live.

Notably, through a notification from the Ministry of Public Administration on June 24, UNO Afroz Shahin Khosru was transferred from Tetulia to Taraganj Upazila in Rangpur.