Swechchhasebak League leader Shah Alam attends mother's funeral after being handcuffed

Former general secretary of Akhaura Upazila Swechchhasebak League in Brahmanbaria, Shah Alam Khandaker, who in jail in a political case, has been released on parole for three hours to attend his mother's funeral.

He attended his mother's funeral under police guard and handcuffed on Tuesday (June 30). Later, he was taken back to Brahmanbaria District Jail within the stipulated time. Brahmanbaria District Jail Superintendent Md. Mojibur Rahman Majumder confirmed the matter.

According to family sources, Shah Alam Khandaker was sent to jail in Brahmanbaria District Jail in a political case. His mother Halima Begum (75) fell ill while visiting him in the jail a few days ago. Later, he died on Monday night while undergoing treatment in the hospital.

After the death of his mother, the family applied to the Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate for parole to give him the opportunity to see her for the last time and attend the funeral. In view of the application, Additional District Magistrate Ehsan Murad allowed him to be released on parole for three hours from 2 pm to 5 pm on Tuesday.

After being released on parole, he was taken to Nurpur Lamarbari village in Dakshin Union of Akhaura Upazila under police guard. He attended the funeral held at Nurpur Purbapara Jame Mosque ground at around 2:45 pm. Eyewitnesses said that he was handcuffed at that time and police members kept him in a security cordon the entire time.

After the funeral, Halima Begum was buried in the family graveyard. Later, Shah Alam Khandaker was taken back to the district jail within the stipulated time.

After the funeral, Shah Alam Khandaker sought prayers from the devotees present, seeking forgiveness for his mother's soul. He said, "I could not serve my mother, this is my biggest pain. A few days ago, my mother fell ill after visiting me in prison. She died while undergoing treatment in the hospital. However, I got the opportunity to attend my mother's funeral, for which I thank God."

Javed ul Islam, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Akhaura Police Station, said that Shah Alam Khandaker was released on parole on the orders of the court. After the funeral, he was taken back to Brahmanbaria District Jail under police guard.