National Film Award-winning actress Sadika Parveen Popy has claimed she is receiving death threats linked to a long-running dispute over family property. Speaking on Saturday (22 November), the actress said the situation has escalated to the point that she no longer feels safe returning to her home in Khulna.
According to Popy, her cousin’s son-in-law, Tarek Ahmed Chowdhury, has been threatening her for the past year. She alleges that Tarek warned he would kill her if she travelled to Khulna, a threat she says prevented her from attending the funeral of a close relative.
“My elder uncle Kabir Hossain died on November 19. I prepared to go to Khulna, but after Tarek learned of it, he called and said he would kill me if I went. I couldn’t take the risk,” Popy said.
The actress claims she legally purchased land from her uncle in 2007 but has been unable to take possession despite having the documents. She alleges that her cousin Mukta and Mukta’s husband, Tarek, have occupied the land and have repeatedly issued threats whenever she attempts to exercise her rights.
Popy also said she previously faced harassment from local political leaders. “In the past I was harassed by some Awami League leaders. After the change of government, Tarek is now making the same threats by aligning himself with BNP leaders. He has clearly said that if I go to Khulna, I will not leave alive,” she alleged.
Tarek Ahmed Chowdhury did not respond to media inquiries regarding the accusations.
Popy says she is now deeply concerned for her safety and has urged the authorities to intervene.
This is not the first time such allegations have been raised. In July, another of Popy’s uncles, Mia Babul Hossain, accused Tarek of land grabbing and held a press conference to voice his concerns. Tarek is reported to be an employee of Trust Bank.
