Confusion over Chhatra League leader Saddam's parole: Family clarifies fact

A state of confusion and, subsequently, significant public criticism regarding the parole request for Jewel Hasan Saddam, the president of the Bagerhat Sadar Upazila unit of the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League, has hit the social media platforms.

Investigations by Views Bangladesh reveal that despite the family’s efforts to submit a parole request on Saddam’s behalf, the administration refused to accept it.

The Jashore District Administration confirmed that the family did not file any parole request with the District Magistrate or Jashore Central Jail regarding the funeral of Saddam’s wife, Kaniz Suborna Swarnali, and their infant son, Sejad Hasan Nazif.

A public notice issued by the administration stated that media reports suggesting otherwise were incorrect.

Saddam’s family, however, said they had approached multiple administrative offices—from Bagherhat District Administration to the Jashore District Magistrate—seeking parole on humanitarian grounds. Administrative delays, weekly holidays, and a police advisory warning of potential law-and-order risks prevented the request from being processed.

As a result, Saddam was permitted only to see the bodies of his wife and child at the jail gate on Saturday evening. Authorities facilitated this humanitarian access, allowing him to hold his deceased son for the first time, creating a deeply emotional scene for family and jail staff.

The incident took place on Friday in Saberdanga, Sadar Upazila, where Swarnali allegedly killed her son by drowning and then hanged herself, reportedly due to mental distress caused by her husband’s imprisonment.

Family members stated that Saddam had sent letters from jail assuring his release, which may have increased her psychological burden.

Jashore Central Jail officials confirmed that Saddam was returned to his designated ward after the brief visit.

The family and local residents criticised the spread of misleading reports, calling for responsible and transparent handling of humanitarian matters rather than politicisation.

Social media accounts also noted that Saddam had been receiving medical treatment in India at the time of the incident that led to his detention.

The family claimed repeated failures to secure bail contributed to the tragic deaths.