United News of Bangladesh

Film actress Nasrin Akter Nipun has been banned for life from Bangladesh Chalachitra Shilpi Samity (Bangladesh Film Artistes Association). This decision was unanimously made by the executive council of the Samity on Sunday. Actor DA Tayeb, current Vice President of the Samity, confirmed the matter to the media on Tuesday. Actress Nipun stopped from going to London The committee, according to various sources, made this decision as Nipun, a former general secretary of the Samity, was found guilty of misusing the official letterhead and pad to issue unauthorized statements on behalf of the Samity during the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement. Nipun issued the statement using the official pad and letterhead despite not having the authority, and she also shared the same statement on her verified Facebook profile. The incidents happened on July 16 last year, when the movement was at its peak, which led to the July Uprising and fall of the Awami League government. SC clears way for Nipun to serve as general secretary of Film Artistes’ Association Sources have informed the media that even though Nipun was given a show-cause notice regarding the matter, she never clarified her authority of using the credentials beyond her power. The matter was discussed recently during a meeting of the Samity, currently led by its elected president, Misha Sawdagor, and general secretary, Dipjol, and the decision regarding her banishment was unanimously taken. On January 10, Nipun was scheduled to fly to London on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight but was briefly detained by the immigration police based on directives from intelligence agencies. After interrogation and scrutinizing her passport and other documents, her journey was cancelled and she was sent back to Dhaka from Sylhet. BFAA election: Chamber judge stays HC order after Nipun's appeal Previously, Nipun faced controversy regarding the 2022 election of Bangladesh Chalachitra Shilpi Samity. At that election, she was defeated by Zayed Khan in a close contest. However, she then took legal action, and after months of legal battles, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court cleared the way for her to serve as the general secretary of the association. There are allegations that Awami League Presidium member Sheikh Selim exerted his influence to manipulate the result of the poll in favour of Nipun.

The High Court (HC) on Monday (May 20, 2024) barred Monowar Hossain Dipjol from serving as general secretary of the executive committee of Bangladesh Film Artists’ Association for the 2024-26 term. An HC bench comprising Justice Naima Haider and Justice Kazi Zinat Hoque also directed relevant authorities to investigate allegations of irregularities in the election. Additionally, the court issued a rule demanding an explanation as to why the election results should not be annulled in light of these allegations. Film Artistes' Association election 2024: Misha Sawdagar elected president, Dipjol general secretary The HC's orders followed a petition filed by actress Nipun Akter, who contested the election for general secretary and is currently in the USA, according to her lawyer, Palash Chandra Roy. Senior lawyer Shah Manjurul Haq, Barrister Harunur Rashid, and Palash Chandra Roy represented Nipun in court, while Deputy Attorney General Amit Das Gupta represented the state. Lawyer Manjurul Haq stated that the court's stay on Dipjol's position means he cannot perform his duties as general secretary. The court also mandated the Social Welfare Ministry to investigate the alleged election irregularities. On May 15, actress Nipun submitted a petition to the HC seeking the cancellation of the election results and a restriction on the duties of the Misha-Dipjol panel, which had won the election. Allegations of embezzlement against actor Apurba Nipun also requested the court to set a schedule for a new election. In the election held on April 20, Dipjol defeated Nipun by 16 votes, as announced by Chief Election Commissioner Khorshed Alam Khosru. Dipjol received 225 votes, while Nipun, the immediate past general secretary, garnered 209 votes.

Monowar Hossain Dipjol, one of Dhallywood's most prominent actors, underwent surgery at a city hospital on Tuesday morning.