Shahjahan Mia, a 62-year-old Indian man, returned to his home in Tripura on Tuesday after enduring 36 years in a Bangladesh prison. The long-awaited return was facilitated through cooperation between Bangladesh and Indian authorities, as Bangladesh Police and the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) handed him over to the Border Security Force (BSF) and Tripura police at the Srimantapur-Bibir Bazar integrated check post.
Shahjahan Mia, also known by his alias Bilash, originally traveled to Bangladesh in 1988 without a passport or any valid documentation. His intent was a simple visit to his maternal uncle in Comilla district, but his life took a dramatic turn when he was arrested by Bangladesh Police. “I went to visit my uncle, not knowing that this visit would lead to a nightmare,” Shahjahan recalled.
He was accused of trespassing and, according to Shahjahan and his family, was framed in false cases by local individuals in collaboration with the Bangladesh Police. Despite completing an 11-year prison sentence, Shahjahan was not released, remaining incarcerated for an additional 25 years under circumstances that remain unexplained. “After my jail term was over, they just kept me there. I had no idea why I wasn’t being released,” he said.
The efforts to secure Shahjahan’s release were led by an Agartala-based foundation, which took up his case after years of appeals from his family to the Tripura government. His family, particularly his son Litan Mia, had been tirelessly advocating for his release. “My father was taken away before I was even born. I have waited my entire life for this moment,” said Litan, who was born just 13 days after Shahjahan’s arrest.
Upon crossing the border back into India, Shahjahan was visibly overwhelmed with emotion. “I never thought I would see my home again after so many years. It feels like I have been reborn,” he said with a mix of relief and disbelief. Reflecting on his ordeal, he alleged that he was falsely accused and tortured by the Bangladesh Police during his initial arrest. “They accused me of things I did not do and tortured me for days. It was a living hell,” he recounted.
The reunion with his family was a poignant moment, particularly as he met his son for the first time. “I am incredibly grateful to everyone who helped bring me back. This day is a blessing I thought I would never see,” Shahjahan said, his voice thick with emotion. The case of Shahjahan Mia highlights the complex and often harsh realities faced by those caught in cross-border legal entanglements and underscores the importance of international cooperation and advocacy in securing justice for such individuals.
