A modelling offer, a promised brand deal and a meeting that allegedly turned into a nightmare. Actress Snigdha Chowdhury has come forward with a series of allegations against Ashiyan Group Chairman Mohammad Nazrul Islam Bhuiyan.
Speaking exclusively to TIMES of Bangladesh, Snigdha said she feels unsafe and claimed she has been receiving regular death threats. She also alleged that police have not provided her with any support.
“If anything happens to me, Ashiyan Group and Nazrul Islam will be responsible,” she claimed.
The actress shared more details during a press briefing at a residence in Banani on Monday evening, where she described what she said happened after she was invited to a hospital for an advertising contract.
Snigdha filed a case at Khilkhet Police Station in Dhaka on Sunday night against Mohammad Nazrul Islam Bhuiyan, chairman of Ashiyan Group and Ashiyan Lands Development Limited. She alleged that she was assaulted after being called there to sign an advertisement agreement.
Khilkhet Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Sohrab Al Hossain confirmed the case to TIMES of Bangladesh on Monday afternoon.
“Police have conducted several operations but have not found him yet. The operations are continuing,” the OC said.
He added that multiple police teams were working to arrest Nazrul Islam, who is the only accused named in the case.
According to Snigdha’s account, the incident began after model coordinator Emon contacted her with a proposal for a brand endorsement worth Tk16 lakh. She said she was later taken to Ashiyan City Hospital in the 300 Feet area of Dhaka, where she met Nazrul Islam Bhuiyan.
She claimed she was later taken to a private flat, where she alleged there was a “torture cell” inside the bathroom.
Describing the incident, Snigdha said she was tied with rope and assaulted for nearly two hours. She claimed her throat was pressed during the alleged attack, leaving injuries on different parts of her body.
She also alleged that Samia Soba, a personal assistant of Nazrul Islam, gave her a drink mixed with alcohol. Snigdha said she suspected the drink contained drugs and claimed she continued to feel its effects for two days.
In her complaint, Snigdha alleged that Nazrul Islam mistook her for another woman, Zeba Takiya, and became angry. She claimed he believed Zeba had previously cheated him and misappropriated money.
She further alleged that a person identified as Iman did not attempt to resolve the misunderstanding and instead signalled her to accept the mistaken identity.
Snigdha claimed that she was later pressured to marry Nazrul Islam and that she faced physical abuse after refusing.
“They tied my hands and feet, threw away my phone, grabbed me by the throat and assaulted me,” she claimed.
She also alleged that she was left alone in the room after others were asked to leave.
According to the actress, she pleaded with the accused and reminded him that he had children. She claimed he responded by pulling her hair and kicking her repeatedly, leaving visible injuries.
Showing her injuries, Snigdha said her parents had never physically harmed her, but she was allegedly assaulted during the incident.
She also claimed that Emon, who was with her at the time, was beaten and that his toenails were pulled out because he helped her escape.
Snigdha said she eventually escaped by jumping from a first-floor balcony into water hyacinths and later left the area in a rickshaw.
The actress further alleged that police initially refused to register her case after she went to Khilkhet Police Station. She claimed the case was filed only after repeated requests.
She also alleged that she was offered Tk30 lakh to settle the matter and remain silent.
Claiming that Nazrul Islam’s influence was preventing action, Snigdha said she had not received security protection even after filing the case. She repeated that she feared for her safety unless the accused was arrested.
She also alleged that a BNP leader serving as a state minister helped Nazrul Islam secure bail in exchange for money. She made the allegation during Monday’s press briefing in Banani. No independent confirmation of the claim was immediately available.
Responding to the allegations, Ashiyan Group Chairman Mohammad Nazrul Islam Bhuiyan told TIMES of Bangladesh that all allegations against him were false.
He claimed the accusations were made with the intention of blackmailing him.
Nazrul Islam also claimed that Snigdha’s mother was present during the incident and alleged that they were intoxicated. He further accused Snigdha of visiting him with the intention of blackmailing him.
Snigdha, however, maintained that she feels unsafe after filing the case and demanded immediate action against the accused.
Snigdha Chowdhury began her entertainment career as a model in 2018. She recently made her big-screen debut with the Eid release ‘Pressure Cooker’.
