Birbhum’s Sunali returns home after 100 days in Bangladesh jail
The Statesman | 7 December 2025
After securing bail from a Judicial Magistrate Court in Chapainawabganj, Bangladesh, Sunali Khatun, a nine-month pregnant resident of Birbhum, returned to India through the Mahadipur Immigration Check Post on Friday.
She had spent nearly 100 days in a correctional facility across the border after allegedly being pushed into Bangladesh allegedly without due legal process. Sunali, accompanied by her eight-year-old son, underwent a medical check-up at Malda Medical College and Hospital before leaving for her home in Birbhum on Saturday with her father, Bhadu Sheikh.
According to court records, Sunali and three others were arrested under the Control of Entry Act, 1952. During the bail hearing, her lawyer informed the court that Sunali, then nine months pregnant, was among a group of Indian citizens allegedly forcibly pushed across the border from Birbhum before seeking shelter at the home of a local resident in Chapainawabganj.
The court took note of her physical vulnerability, prolonged detention, and ongoing writ petitions before the Calcutta High Court challenging the alleged pushback incident. With the prosecution raising no objection and the host who had sheltered them agreeing to take responsibility for their appearance when required, the court granted bail on humanitarian grounds. Sunali was released on a Taka 5,000 bond, along with her minor son, until further orders.
Speaking to journalists at Malda Medical College Hospital, Sunali alleged that her ordeal began in June when she was arrested by Delhi Police merely for speaking in Bengali. She claimed that without any investigation or legal procedure, the group was handed over to the BSF and pushed into Bangladesh.
“Life was extremely difficult in Bangladesh. I will never forget the inhuman torture by Delhi Police. We pleaded a lot, but no one listened,” she said, breaking down in tears. “I will never go to Delhi again.” Sunali thanked Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee for facilitating her return home.
Doctors at Malda Medical College conducted preliminary health examinations before releasing her. Sunali, still visibly traumatised, said she continued to shiver when recalling her days in jail.
“I will never forget the hardship of surviving in prison with my child,” she said.
Her father, Bhadu Sheikh, expressed deep anger over her arrest. “How can someone be arrested for speaking in Bengali? Getting my daughter back feels like getting a new life,” he said.
The incident has triggered strong reactions among local residents and rights activists, who have questioned the role of Delhi Police and termed her detention a serious violation of constitutional rights. For now, Sunali says she wants only to return to a normal life after what she describes as an eight-month nightmare.