14 hrs ago
Indian Citizenship Dispute Leaves 66-Year-Old Man in Custody
Jalil Akhtar is a 66-year-old man from North Dinajpur.
Police suspected that he was from Bangladesh and took him into custody.
His family says he was born and raised in India.
They gave officials documents that they say prove he is an Indian citizen.
These documents include voter records, identity cards and an old land deed.
Akhtar was moved between detention centres and later brought before a court.
His lawyer and a rights group are asking for his release.
Police say the court must decide the case because it is still being examined.
Jalil Akhtar’s family says he has been detained for about 75 days after police suspected he was Bangladeshi.
The family says it submitted land, voter, Aadhaar, PAN, job-card and panchayat documents supporting his Indian citizenship.
Akhtar was reportedly moved between holding centres before being produced in Islampur court on July 22 as an alleged illegal Bangladeshi national.
A rights group and Akhtar’s lawyer have demanded his release, citing his age, diabetes and the documents submitted.
Police say Akhtar was arrested under Section 14 of the Foreigners’ Act and remains in judicial custody while the court considers the case.
- Who
- Jalil Akhtar, a 66-year-old day-wage labourer from Bagroi village, along with his family, lawyer and supporters; police arrested him on suspicion of being Bangladeshi.
- What
- Akhtar has been held for about 75 days and prosecuted as an alleged illegal Bangladeshi national, while his family disputes that classification.
- Where
- He is from Bagroi village in Bazargaon 2 panchayat, North Dinajpur, and was reportedly held at centres in Chakulia and Fulbari before being placed in judicial custody.
- When
- He was picked up on the night of June 16 and produced in Islampur court on July 22; the report says he had been held for around two-and-a-half months.
- Why
- Police say he was arrested under Section 14 of the Foreigners’ Act because they suspected he was Bangladeshi; his family says documents establish his Indian citizenship.
Family, Lawyer and Rights Group
Police and Authorities
Citizenship status
Family, Lawyer and Rights Group
Akhtar’s family, lawyer and supporters say he was born and raised in India and that his land, voter and identity documents support his citizenship.
Police and Authorities
Police arrested Akhtar on suspicion that he was Bangladeshi and produced him in court as an alleged illegal Bangladeshi national.
Detention and release
Family, Lawyer and Rights Group
The family and rights group say Akhtar has been held despite repeated submission of documents and that continued detention violates his rights.
Police and Authorities
The police say Akhtar is in judicial custody and that the matter is sub judice, so the court will decide the case.
Possible deportation
Family, Lawyer and Rights Group
The family and supporters fear that authorities may try to send Akhtar to Bangladesh and have called for his release.
Police and Authorities
The report does not provide a direct confirmation from police that any deportation order or plan exists.
Key facts
- Detainee
- Jalil Akhtar, 66, a day-wage labourer
- Reported detention
- About 75 days, or roughly two-and-a-half months
- Police action
- Picked up from his home on the night of June 16
- Court appearance
- Produced in Islampur court on July 22 as an alleged illegal Bangladeshi national
- Legal basis cited by police
- Section 14 of the Foreigners’ Act
- Documents cited by family
- A 1967 land deed, voter-list entries, Aadhaar, PAN, job cards and panchayat certificates
- Health concern
- The family says Akhtar has severe diabetes
Quotes
Dulal Rajbanshi
Convener of the Vote Rights Protection Coordination Committee
“On the night of June 16, a team from the Dalkhola police station picked up my father from our home on suspicion that he was a Bangladeshi. The following morning, we went to the police station. The police told us that if two relatives came with the necessary valid documents, my father would be released.”
telegraphindia.com
“There are concerns that preparations are being made to push him back. This amounts to a violation of human rights and constitutional rights.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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