On Monday afternoon, Sathi Akter was sent to the Mymensingh Chief Judicial Magistrate Court, following her being taken into police custody on Sunday night. The arrest came after her Facebook live stream spread widely, prompting local BNP leaders and activists to surround her business establishment and demand justice.
Sathi Akter operates "Sathi Beauty Parlor" at the Khadija Palace Market in the Square Masterbari area of Bhaluka upazila. On Sunday afternoon, she broadcasted two live videos from a Facebook page named "Sathi Makeover." In the videos, while expressing frustration over a theft at her business, she was heard saying, "Whom did I vote for, I am suffering today after voting for the BNP government."
After the video circulated, local BNP leaders and activists surrounded her business establishment. Amid rising tension, police took her into custody around 8:30 PM.
Bhaluka Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Zahidul Islam stated that he reviewed the full video of Sathi Akter's Facebook live four times and found no anti-government statements or criticisms of the government. According to him, her remarks fall under freedom of speech. The incident originated from rumors spread without watching the full video.
The OC further explained that after the video was broadcast, several businessmen from the market went to speak with Sathi Akter, and she behaved aggressively toward them, creating a tense situation. Consequently, she was shown arrested under section 151 of the Code of Criminal Procedure and sent to court. Market traders have assured her that she will face no issues running her business upon returning after securing bail.
Mymensingh Court Inspector Mostasinur Rahman stated that section 151 of the Code of Criminal Procedure is a police measure for crime prevention. If police suspect that a person is planning to commit a cognizable offense, they can be arrested to prevent it. The court will make a decision regarding Sathi Akter's bail after reviewing the police report.
