Bangladesh’s jails hold 407 foreign nationals from 15 countries, serving sentences for drug trafficking, gold smuggling and illegal trade. Of them, 238 are Indians, which means more than half of all foreign prisoners are Indian.
Of these Indians, 168 have already completed their sentences but remain in Bangladeshi jails because arrangements to send them to India are incomplete. Bangladeshi jail officials say holding foreign prisoners beyond their release dates is creating difficulties. These prisoners are kept in separate cells with CCTV surveillance outside, and the special arrangements are costing the government additional money.
The Indian High Commission, however, offers a different account. A High Commission official said only 25 Indians in Bangladeshi jails are due to return home after completing their sentences. The official said the real problem lies in establishing the prisoners’ identity, as it must first be confirmed that they are actually Indian.
Bangladesh’s foreign ministry has sent the High Commission a list of 121 Indian prisoners who, Bangladeshi authorities say, have completed their terms. According to the Indian official, full details are missing for many of them, making it difficult to confirm their nationality. The High Commission has asked the Bangladesh government for permission to meet the prisoners and collect their details, and a reply from the foreign ministry is awaited. In some cases, work on verifying details is already under way.
After Indians, Myanmar nationals form the largest group, with 133 in Bangladeshi jails, only one of whom is due to return home after completing a sentence. Six Nigerians, three Pakistanis and three Malaysians are also imprisoned in Bangladesh.