A leader of the National Citizen Party (NCP) in Bogura has been removed from all organizational responsibilities after a viral video showed him being publicly confronted and beaten with a shoe over allegations of sexual harassment involving female trainees at a government-run training center.
The leader, identified as Ali Azam Sabbir, was a member of the NCP’s Shibganj Upazila Coordination Team and a trainee in a driving course at the Bogura Technical Training Center (TTC).
The controversy erupted after a 2-minute-and-10-second video recorded on May 24 began circulating widely on social media on Friday. The footage shows Sabbir being held inside a room on the TTC campus while a group of students surrounds him. In the video, a woman is seen repeatedly striking him with a shoe as others confront him over allegations of inappropriate behavior toward female trainees.
Following the video’s circulation, the NCP’s Bogura district unit announced disciplinary action against Sabbir.
In a letter signed Friday night by district organizing secretary Shawkat Imran, the party said Sabbir had been relieved of all organizational responsibilities and activities pending further review.
Shawkat Imran confirmed the decision, saying the party acted immediately after becoming aware of the allegations.
“After the allegations came to our attention, Ali Azam Sabbir was relieved of all organizational responsibilities and activities,” he said.
He added, “At the same time, he has been served a show-cause notice and given three days to explain his position regarding the allegations.”
Allegations of Repeated Harassment
According to several female trainees at the Technical Training Center, Sabbir had allegedly been harassing women enrolled in the driving course for an extended period.
They claimed he frequently made obscene remarks over mobile phone calls and sent inappropriate and sexually explicit messages to female trainees. Several women said his behavior had become a source of frustration and discomfort on campus.
The trainees alleged that repeated complaints and warnings failed to stop the conduct.
As tensions grew, a group of female trainees reportedly confronted Sabbir on May 24 and confined him inside a room at the training center. During the confrontation, one of the women struck him with a shoe while others demanded an explanation for his behavior.
According to those present, Sabbir later apologized and admitted wrongdoing.
The viral video shows him publicly acknowledging that he had sent inappropriate messages to female trainees and at least one female instructor. He is also seen promising that he would not engage in such behavior again.
Sources at the training center said he later submitted a written undertaking admitting misconduct and pledging not to repeat it.
Training Center Confirms Written Confession
Rashedul Hasan, a driving instructor at the Technical Training Center, said the allegations involved multiple female trainees.
“Ali Azam Sabbir behaved inappropriately with several female trainees. As a result, one of the female trainees beat him with a shoe,” Hasan said while describing the incident.
He added that Sabbir later admitted his actions and formally submitted a written statement.
“Afterward, he confessed his wrongdoing and submitted a written undertaking to us. Once the office reopens, action will be taken against him in accordance with the decision of the academy council,” Hasan said.
The training center has not yet announced the specific disciplinary measures that may be imposed.
Wider Debate Over Accountability
The incident has triggered widespread discussion on social media, where many users shared the video and debated both the allegations and the method of public humiliation used against the accused.
While many commentators expressed support for the women who spoke out against harassment, others argued that allegations should be addressed through formal institutional and legal procedures.
Women’s rights advocates in Bangladesh have repeatedly raised concerns about harassment in educational and training institutions, saying many victims remain reluctant to file formal complaints due to social stigma, fear of retaliation, or lack of confidence in disciplinary systems.
The latest incident has once again highlighted questions about workplace and educational safety, the handling of sexual harassment complaints, and the responsibility of political organizations to respond swiftly when allegations emerge against their members.
As of Saturday, no information was available regarding whether a formal criminal complaint had been filed over the allegations. However, both the training center and the NCP district unit indicated that internal disciplinary processes were underway.
