'No problem' with uncle coming home, but need security, says Tureen's daughter

"I will give them a flat according to the verdict, but my life is at risk”

Tejaswi Tureen Sumedha has said she has no objection to her mother and brother living in the Uttara house of former International Crimes Tribunal prosecutor Tureen Afroz in the wake of the court verdict.

However, she has expressed “concern” about security.

Sumedha said that on Apr 8, the day after her mother was arrested, her maternal uncle Shishir Ahmed Shahnewaz went to her house and “attempted to invade” it.

In this situation, Sumedha has sought help from the government for her security.

Tureen was arrested from her Uttara house on the night of Apr 7 in a case of “attempted murder” of a student named Abdul Jabbar during the July Uprising.

She had been involved in a long-running legal dispute with her half-brother Shishir over a house on Road No. 15, Sector No. 3, Uttara, which they inherited from their father.

However, the day after Tureen's arrest, around 11:30am, a group of people allegedly attempted to evict the occupants, claiming ownership of the house.

Sumedha alleged Shishir and a group of at least 10 others physically assaulted the building’s security guard and removed the nameplate identifying the residence.

Police were called to the scene shortly after the confrontation began.

Upon their arrival, Shishir reportedly withdrew from his position and left the property.

In the aftermath, authorities advised Sumedha to remain cautious.

In the case filed on May 11, 2017, Tureen claimed in the application that she was the owner of the house in Uttara and was in possession of it.

The plea also mentioned her brother and mother were making illegal attempts to occupy the house even though they were not the owners.

A year later, in 2018, the court granted the status quo on the plaintiff's application.

After a lengthy legal process of appeal and a case-by-case verdict, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on Monday upheld the High Court verdict.

As a result, Shamsunnahar and Shishir regained their right to live in the house.

Sumedha told bdnews24.com, “Since the verdict was delivered yesterday, there is no issue with them staying in the house.

“But after they threatened me face to face, I no longer feel safe living with them.

“I went to the station and spoke to the officer-in-charge, who assured me protection would be provided.”

After the incident of April 8, Sumedha filed a GD at Uttara Paschim Police Station seeking her ‘safety’. There, she expressed her insecurity due to the ‘activities’ of her step-uncle Shishir.

“I was seeking protection from the new government—it would be better if they offered support. I want to ensure strong security, as an accident could happen at any time,” she said.

bdnews24.com was unable to get a response from Shishir Ahmed Shahnewaz's phone number as it was disconnected after multiple calls.