Poll Official Seeks Action Against Rumeen Over ‘Mob’ Claim

An assistant returning officer has sought action against Brahmanbaria-2 independent candidate and expelled BNP leader Barrister Rumeen Farhana, alleging violations of the electoral code of conduct and the creation of a “mob” during a mobile court operation in Brahmanbaria.

Assistant Returning Officer and Sarail Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Abubakor Sarkar said a letter was sent on January 17 to the Election Inquiry and Judicial Committee and the senior civil judge, outlining the allegations.

According to the letter, Rumeen Farhana organised a large gathering with a pandal in the Islamabad (Gogad) area of Noagaon union under Sarail upazila, breaching election rules. The mobile court dispersed the rally and fined one of her supporters, Jewel Mia, Tk40,000.

The complaint further alleges that Rumeen behaved aggressively toward Executive Magistrate Shahria Hasan Khan, including making threatening gestures. It also claims that Jewel Mia and others accompanying her created a mob that obstructed judicial proceedings and intimidated the magistrate.

A video circulating on social media was attached to the complaint as supporting evidence.
“The matter is now before the court,” the assistant returning officer said.

Earlier that afternoon, the mobile court shut down Rumeen Farhana’s campaign event for violating election regulations. A confrontation between the candidate and the executive magistrate followed, footage of which later spread online and drew widespread criticism.