Handcuffed Leader Attends Mother’s Funeral on Parole

A local leader of the now-banned Jubo organisation Swechchhasebak League attended his mother’s funeral in Brahmanbaria while wearing handcuffs after being granted temporary parole from prison, in an emotional scene that drew relatives, local residents and law enforcement officials.

Shah Alam Khandakar, general secretary of Akhaura Upazila Swechchhasebak League and a resident of Nurpur Dakshinpara village in South Union, was released on parole for five hours on Tuesday to attend the funeral prayers of his mother, Halima Begum, who died the previous night after a prolonged illness.

According to family members and police officials, Halima Begum, 75, passed away at around 10:30 pm on Monday at her home in Nurpur. She had been suffering from age-related health complications for an extended period. Following her death, Shah Alam’s family submitted an application to the court seeking temporary parole so that he could attend her funeral and burial. The court subsequently approved the request, allowing him to leave prison under strict police supervision for a limited period.

Local residents said Shah Alam was brought from Brahmanbaria District Jail to his ancestral home at around midday under a police escort. The funeral prayer was held after Zuhr prayers at approximately 2:00 pm on the grounds of Nurpur Dakshinpara Jame Mosque, where hundreds of mourners gathered to pay their final respects to the deceased.

Throughout the visit, Shah Alam remained in police custody and was seen wearing handcuffs while attending the funeral prayer. After the Janazah, Halima Begum was laid to rest at the family’s ancestral graveyard in the village. Police maintained security during the proceedings before escorting Shah Alam back to prison later in the afternoon.

Speaking briefly before mourners, Shah Alam expressed gratitude to those who had attended his mother’s funeral and appealed for prayers for her soul. He also spoke of his personal regret at being unable to care for his mother during her final days because of his imprisonment.

“You have all come to attend my mother’s funeral, and I am deeply grateful,” he said. “The greatest sorrow in my life is that I could not look after my mother while I was in prison. I request everyone to pray that Allah grants her the highest place in Paradise.”

His remarks reflected the emotional nature of the occasion, which unfolded under the supervision of law enforcement officers in accordance with the conditions of his parole.

Akhaura Police Station Officer-in-Charge Javed Ul Islam confirmed that Shah Alam had been granted parole solely to attend his mother’s funeral. He said the prisoner returned to custody at around 4:00 pm after the burial and that the parole conditions had been complied with throughout the visit.

The police official added that Shah Alam has remained in custody since his arrest in connection with a violence-related case. Authorities did not disclose further details about the ongoing legal proceedings, noting only that the case remains under judicial process.

Parole is a legal provision that allows prisoners to leave custody temporarily under specified conditions for humanitarian reasons, including the serious illness or death of close family members. Such releases are generally granted for a limited duration and require the individual to remain under police supervision before returning to prison once the authorised period expires.

Tuesday’s funeral illustrated the practical application of that provision, allowing Shah Alam to perform his final religious and familial obligations while remaining subject to the legal restrictions imposed by the court. The funeral concluded peacefully, and no untoward incidents were reported during the parole period.