Indian National Detained as ‘Bangladeshi’ Granted Bail, Released After 3 Months

An Indian national from North Dinajpur, West Bengal, 66-year-old Mr. Jalil Akhtar, who was detained nearly three months ago on suspicion of being a Bangladeshi citizen, was granted bail by a court in Islampur on Monday. He was released from Islampur Correctional Home (jail) on Tuesday and handed over to his family.

Mr. Jalil Akhtar, a resident of Baghrui village under Bazar Gaon II Gram Panchayat in Karandighi block of North Dinajpur, was detained by the state police from his home on June 16. He was initially taken to a holding centre in Fulbari, on the outskirts of Siliguri, and later transferred to another holding centre in Nizampur, Chakulia, North Dinajpur.

On July 22, Mr. Akhtar was produced before the Islampur court on allegations of being a foreign national and was subsequently sent to judicial custody. Since his detention, family members had been claiming that he was an Indian citizen. They even produced valid documents showing that land had been purchased in his father’s name in 1967 before the court.

During Monday’s hearing, the judge questioned Mr. Akhtar, who was standing in the dock, for a long time. The court sought detailed information about his birthplace, family members, their professions and the identities of his neighbours. The identities of his wife, Ms. Tofa Bibi, and daughter, Ms. Kulsum Begum, who were present in court, were also verified. Mr. Akhtar gave clear answers to all the judge’s questions, after which the necessary documents relating to his family members were submitted to the court. After reviewing the documents and information, the court granted him bail subject to certain conditions.

Mr. Akhtar’s lawyer, Mr. Shahid Reza, said, “He will not be able to leave his place of residence without informing the police and will cooperate fully with the police in the interest of the investigation. He will have to appear in court regularly, and if he needs to go elsewhere for medical treatment in the event of a medical emergency, he must inform the local police station in advance.”

The bail order brought relief to Mr. Akhtar’s family and neighbours.

Mr. Akhtar’s brother, Mr. Matiur Rahman, expressed both anger and relief, saying, “For three long months, we had been mentally devastated and physically exhausted, running from one administrative office to another and to the courts, leaving everything else aside. We had to sell everything we had to fight the legal battle. At last, he has been granted bail. Despite having all the necessary documents, an elderly and poor man was unnecessarily harassed.”