20 trafficked Bangladeshi children return home after serving jail terms in India

Twenty Bangladeshi children trafficked to India have finally returned home after serving jail terms and spending months in shelter homes across West Bengal.

The children — 13 girls and seven boys — were handed over to Benapole Immigration Police on Wednesday afternoon (May 13) by India’s Petrapole Immigration authorities through special travel permits.

According to officials, the children are residents of different areas in Bagerhat, Khulna, Narail and Jashore districts.

Preliminary interrogation revealed that in early 2024, the children crossed the border illegally without passports along with their parents after being lured by traffickers with promises of better jobs and living opportunities in India. They later worked in households and agricultural fields in different parts of West Bengal.

However, in late December 2025, Indian police detained them and produced them before court. The court subsequently sentenced them to different jail terms, after which they were sent to various correctional facilities in West Bengal.

Following completion of their sentences, Indian human rights organisations filed appeals for their rehabilitation. The children were later transferred to seven shelter homes, including Kisholaya and Surakanya, before arrangements were made for their repatriation through special travel permits and FRRO exit clearance.

Benapole Checkpost Immigration Officer-in-Charge S M Shakhawat Hossain said the children were handed over to Benapole Port Police Station after verification of all legal documents and immigration formalities.

Benapole Port Police Station Officer-in-Charge Ashraf Hossain said the children were later transferred to three human rights organisations — Justice and Care, Bangladesh National Women Lawyers' Association and Jashore Rights — which will now facilitate their safe return to their respective families.