Chhatra League's Saddam bursts into tears touching bodies of wife, son at jail gates

Former Chhatra League leader Jewel Hasan Saddam was not granted parole to bid farewell to his wife and 9-month-old son for the last time. However, the prison authorities allowed him to see the bodies of his wife Kanij Suborna Swarnali and 9-month-old son.

According to prison sources, Saddam was allowed to see the two bodies at the jail gates. After a long time, he touched his wife for the last time and picked up his dead son for the first time in his life. At that time, an atmosphere of mourning was created among the prison guards and relatives present.

After killing his 9-month-old child, Saddam's wife committed suicide. This tragic incident took place on January 23 in the village of Bekhdanga in Bagerhat Sadar Upazila.

Relatives claim that Saddam's wife Swarnali had a mental breakdown as he had been imprisoned for a long time. In extreme despair, she first drowned her child in a bucket of water and then committed suicide by hanging herself.

Saddam's family members said that the imprisoned Saddam would occasionally send notes to his wife asking her to be patient and assuring her of a speedy release.

Jailer Abid Ahmed of Jashore Central Jail said that Saddam has been incarcerated in this prison since December 15. On the orders of higher authorities, he was given the opportunity to see the bodies of his wife and child on humanitarian grounds. After the process was completed, he was sent back to his assigned ward.