Archive · 15 Sep 2026
Jalil Akhtar Released After Detention Over Citizenship Suspicion
Jalil Akhtar is a Muslim man from West Bengal, India.
Police suspected that he had come from Bangladesh without the required papers.
They took him from his home on June 19 and sent him to a detention centre.
Police records say they tried to deport him after completing biometric and other formalities.
His family said he is Indian and pointed to electoral rolls and old land records.
Police said he had not provided enough documents proving his family connection.
A court granted him bail, and he was released from jail.
Trinamool Congress leader Samirul Islam said the detention and alleged harassment were unfair.
The case is part of a wider pattern reported by Scroll involving Bengali-speaking Muslims being asked to prove their Indian citizenship.
Jalil Akhtar of Uttar Dinajpur, West Bengal, was released from jail after securing bail.
Police detained Akhtar on June 19 and suspected him of being an undocumented Bangladeshi citizen.
Police records say he was handed to the Border Security Force for deportation on July 4.
Authorities later filed a case alleging he entered India without valid travel documents.
Akhtar’s family cited electoral rolls and 1967 land records, while Trinamool Congress leader Samirul Islam criticized his treatment.
- Who
- Jalil Akhtar, a Muslim resident of Uttar Dinajpur, West Bengal, was detained; his family and Trinamool Congress leader Samirul Islam supported his release.
- What
- Akhtar was detained over suspicion that he was an undocumented Bangladeshi citizen, faced an immigration case, and was later released on bail.
- When
- He was detained on June 19, handed to the Border Security Force on July 4, and released after securing bail on Monday.
- Where
- Akhtar was detained in Uttar Dinajpur, held at a temporary centre in Nizampur, and jailed in West Bengal.
- Why
- Police alleged that he entered India without a valid passport, travel document, or visa, while his family said there was no basis for suspecting him of being Bangladeshi.
Family and Supporters
Police Allegations
Akhtar’s citizenship
Family and Supporters
Akhtar’s family said he is Indian and that his name appeared in electoral rolls prepared after special intensive revisions in 2002 and 2026.
Police Allegations
Police suspected Akhtar was an undocumented Bangladeshi citizen and said he had not produced documentary evidence proving that he was the son of Roshan Ali.
Detention and deportation
Family and Supporters
Samirul Islam described the treatment as inhumane and called for action against officials responsible for alleged wrongful detention and harassment.
Police Allegations
Police reported that biometric and deportation formalities had been completed and alleged that Akhtar had entered India without valid travel documents.
- Detainee
- Jalil Akhtar
- Location
- Uttar Dinajpur, West Bengal
- Detention date
- June 19
- Deportation attempt
- Police records say Akhtar was handed to the Border Security Force on July 4.
- Legal allegation
- Police alleged entry into India without a valid passport, travel document, or visa.
- Family evidence
- The family cited electoral rolls from 2002 and 2026 and land records from 1967 in Akhtar’s father’s name.
- Outcome
- Akhtar secured bail and was released from jail.