Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki on Monday voiced strong criticism over the arrest of actress Nusraat Faria, calling it an "embarrassing incident" for the authorities and warning against the dangers of reactive, arbitrary actions in politically sensitive cases.

In a Facebook post, Farooki — who is also a noted filmmaker — expressed dismay at the arrest, linking it to broader tensions following backlash over former President Abdul Hamid’s recent foreign travel. “I usually refrain from commenting beyond the scope of my ministry, but I have an identity – I come from this very industry and will return to it in the future,” he wrote, reaffirming his solidarity with the cultural community.

Farooki underscored that the government`s declared policy is to avoid arrests without initial evidence, particularly in wide-ranging cases involving public figures. “Our government`s job is to ensure the trial of the actual offenders involved in the July incidents. That’s why our policy has been clear – no arrest without initial evidence of involvement,” he said.

Referring to the case against Faria, Farooki noted that while the allegations were not new and had been under review for some time, the timing of her arrest — immediately upon her arrival at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Sunday — raised concerns. “To my knowledge, there was no move to arrest her before the investigation was complete,” he added.

He also pointed to a similar recent incident involving the wife of Barrister Andaleeve Partha as part of what he called an “overreaction from nervous quarters” in the current political climate.

“These incidents are not acceptable under any circumstances,” Farooki said. “I believe Faria will get legal remedy through due process.”

He urged the authorities to handle such high-profile and sensitive cases with greater caution and responsibility. “We must remember, our primary responsibility is to bring the real July offenders to justice,” he emphasized.

Nusraat Faria, who portrayed a young Sheikh Hasina in Shyam Benegal’s 2023 biopic *Mujib: The Making of a Nation*, was arrested on Sunday while trying to travel to Thailand. She was presented before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Court on Monday and subsequently sent to jail by Metropolitan Magistrate Naznin Akter.

According to the case statement, Faria and 16 others — including actors Apu Biswas, Nipun Akter, Ashna Habib Bhabna, and Zayed Khan — are accused in an attempted murder case tied to an anti-discrimination movement in the Bhatara area. Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 283 others were also named in the same case, filed on April 29 after a court order directed police to register it.