Anwara Mahbub, the mother of former executive editor of The Daily Star, Syed Ashfaqul Haque, has protested against what she deems as unfair assumptions, false propaganda, distortion of information, and misinterpretation surrounding the death of Preeti Urang, a domestic helper who passed away allegedly by falling from a flat in the capital’s Mohammadpur on February 6.
In a letter addressed to the media, Anwara denounced the claims made by 117 Bangladeshi citizens regarding Preeti Urang’s death, labeling them as tantamount to contempt of court as the matter is currently under trial.
Anwara asserted that the case of Preeti’s negligent death should be considered as an accidental death, and she refuted allegations of physical assault against her son, Ashfaqul, and his wife.
She clarified that the CCTV footage at Ashfaqul’s home was not missing, as claimed, but rather, the couple used a Chinese camera solely for live streaming to their mobile phones, with no stored footage on any device or memory cards.
Anwara highlighted the previous incident involving another house helper, Ferdausi, who suffered an injury from a fall at Ashfaqul Haque’s home in August 2023.
She refuted claims made by the 117 citizens regarding the severity and nature of Ferdausi’s injury, citing medical records from Dhaka Medical College.
The statement of the 117 citizens alleges that, Ferdausi sustained “3cmX3cmX3cm wounds deep inside her reproductive organ leading up to the opening of the anus.”
However, Anwara referred to the doctors at Dhaka Medical College, where Ferdausi was treated after the incident on August 4, 2023.
They documented her injury as “a lacerated wound from the labia minora up to the anal sphincter in the midline measuring 3cmX2cmX2cm.”
She remarked: “Those acquainted with the medical term ‘labia minora’ would recognize that they are two small, thin skin tissues located externally to the female reproductive organ, rather than deeply within it."
“It is surprising that the 117 individuals in question, many of whom hold esteemed positions in academia, journalism, research, criminal investigation, and law, would assert such uninformed claims in such a sensitive matter, particularly when it is still under police investigation.”
Anwara attributed the allegations against her son to resentment and hostility stemming from his prominent and fearless journalism over the past 33 years.
She called for an unbiased, thorough, impartial, and fair investigation to uncover the truth and ensure justice for all parties involved.
