Two arrested in Sonamura for running an unauthorised rehab centre. Police rescue inmates, expose abuse, cheating, and illegal confinement. Investigation continues as associates remain absconding and administration seals another suspected de-addiction facility.
Amid growing public outrage and mounting pressure from civil society, Sonamura police arrested two individuals in connection with an unauthorised rehabilitation and de-addiction centre operating illegally in the town. The arrests follow a dramatic expose that revealed shocking allegations of abuse, confinement, and systematic cheating of vulnerable families.
The accused have been identified as Abdul Mannan Chowdhury and Pranab Acharjee. Both were produced before the Sonamura court on Friday, which rejected their bail pleas and remanded them to judicial custody until January 7, 2026. The court has also granted police permission to interrogate the accused inside the jail if necessary, ahead of their next court appearance scheduled for January 8.
The case came to light after a joint raid conducted on Thursday by Sonamura police and officials of the local Nagar Panchayat at a so-called de-addiction centre operating under the name Manush Manusher Jonno. During the operation, several young inmates were rescued from the premises and shifted to safer locations for medical and psychological assessment.
According to official sources, the conditions inside the illegal rehab centre were deeply disturbing. Inmates were allegedly subjected to severe physical abuse, deprived of food at regular intervals, and confined under inhuman and degrading conditions. The administration stated that the facility lacked any legal registration, medical supervision, or basic compliance with health and safety norms mandated for rehabilitation centres.
Investigators further revealed that the accused had allegedly cheated families in a pre-planned manner, luring them with false promises of professional treatment and recovery for their addicted relatives. Families reportedly paid significant sums of money, believing the centre to be a legitimate rehabilitation facility.
Deputy Magistrate and Collector Anish Debnath lodged a formal complaint at Sonamura police station, invoking charges of cheating, criminal breach of trust, wrongful confinement, and physical abuse against Chowdhury and his associates.
In the aftermath of the raid, the administration also sealed another de-addiction centre located in the Dhaliyai area under Ward No. 5 of the Nagar Panchayat, suspecting similar irregularities and violations.
Police confirmed that both accused were detained on Thursday night and produced before the court the following day. Meanwhile, several associates linked to the illegal operation are absconding, and intensive search operations are underway to trace them. Authorities believe that the investigation may uncover additional undisclosed activities, including possible financial irregularities and wider networks involved in running illegal rehabilitation facilities.
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Officer-in-Charge of Sonamura police station Tapas Das stated that a thorough and impartial investigation is ongoing to identify all individuals involved. He appealed to the public to come forward with information and cooperate with law enforcement agencies to ensure justice for the victims.
The incident has once again highlighted the urgent need for strict regulation, monitoring, and accountability of rehabilitation centres to prevent exploitation of vulnerable individuals and their families.
