A Union Parishad chairman was filmed publicly beating a woman with his shoe during a village arbitration in Brahmanpara, Cumilla, over allegations that she was having an extramarital relationship. An 11-second video of the incident, which took place on Monday, 17 August, circulated widely on social media this week.
The footage shows UP Chairman Md. Farid Uddin sitting before a crowd of more than 100 people as the woman is brought in front of him. He strikes her repeatedly with his shoe, first while seated and then after standing up. Dozens of people, including men and women, are seen watching without intervening. Local residents said the arbitration had been called over allegations involving the woman, whose husband lives abroad, and another man. Punishments were reportedly imposed on both, although only footage of the violence against the woman has circulated.
Farid Uddin later defended his actions to local journalists, saying he had implemented the decision of a “social arbitration” after residents allegedly caught the pair together. He claimed his intervention prevented further unrest among those gathered. The survivor has declined to speak publicly about the incident.
Brahmanpara Upazila Nirbahi Officer Munni Islam said Union Parishads have formally regulated village courts with defined jurisdiction and procedures, and that such punishment cannot be imposed outside that framework under the guise of arbitration. She said further action would be considered following an investigation.
Brahmanpara Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Faruk Hossain said police had informed the Upazila administration and would take legal action if the survivor filed a formal complaint. Women’s rights activist Dilnashi Mohsen also called for an investigation and accountability, questioning both the chairman’s authority to adjudicate the allegation and the public violence inflicted on the woman.
Source: Prothom Alo