NCP leader Jannat filed GD over threats a month before death

Jannat Ara Rumi, joint coordinator of the National Citizen Party's (NCP) Dhanmondi thana unit, had filed a general diary (GD) at Dhanmondi Police Station on November 13, citing repeated threats to her life and security concerns, a month before she was found dead at a women's hostel in Dhaka's Jigatala this morning.

Jannat, 30, filed the GD reporting that unidentified individuals had been calling her from multiple numbers, threatening her due to her role in handing over certain leaders and activists of the Awami League in Dhanmondi-32 to police, according to police and party sources.

The GD was received by Sub-Inspector Md Mahmudul Hasan Moral, while the then officer-in-charge of Dhanmondi Police Station, Kyashinyu, was directed to take action.

Confirming the matter, current officer-in-charge Saiful Islam told The Daily Star, "After she filed the GD, the case was under investigation. We were trying to trace the accused, and the probe is still ongoing."

According to members of NCP's Dhanmondi thana unit under Dhaka Metropolitan South, Jannat faced threats and harassment following events called by the Awami League in Dhanmondi-32 on November 13.

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NCP leader found dead at Jigatala hostel

They said she handed over several AL activists to the police on that day, and a video showing her beating a woman with a pipe went viral on Facebook.

Following the incident, Jannat began receiving repeated threats of rape and death from multiple phone numbers -- both domestic and international. Party members alleged that personal details of her family, including phone numbers, were also shared on social media along with threats of murder and arson.

In the GD, Jannat wrote, "These threats have left me in extreme insecurity. I fear that these individuals may cause serious harm to me or my family." She also provided the numbers from which she received the threats.

An NCP activist, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the threats continued even after the GD was filed, and Jannat did not receive effective support.

He added that Jannat faced difficulties in keeping a job, became mentally distressed, and had recently been receiving psychiatric treatment. She had also expressed her intention to become active in politics again last Sunday.

"Whether it was murder or suicide can only be determined after the autopsy," the NCP activist said.

NCP central joint member secretary Tareq Reza told The Daily Star that Jannat was reportedly forced to take her own life due to constant threats of rape and murder by the Awami League and the banned Chhatra League.

Earlier today, police said Jannat was found dead at a student hostel in Jigatala.

"The body has been sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for an autopsy," a police officer said. Police added that preliminary investigation suggests she may have taken her own life, but the exact cause of death will be determined after the autopsy report.