The harrowing ordeal of Nusrat Jahan Sonia, an assistant teacher at Dakshin Tiakhali (1) Government Primary School in Patuakhali, has finally concluded after a seven-year struggle against systemic persecution. Her nightmare began in 2018 when, while seven months pregnant, she was incarcerated for fourteen days following a single Facebook “share.” This act of digital engagement led to her summary dismissal and a psychological battle that spanned nearly a decade, ending only with her recent exoneration and reinstatement.
A Midnight Arrest and Mental Torture
During the student-led road safety protests in August 2018, Mrs Sonia shared a post offering advice to participants, such as carrying identification and pepper powder for self-defence. On 4 August, police detained her at midnight. Despite her advanced pregnancy, she was held for twelve hours without family contact, later describing the experience as being treated like a “dangerous criminal.”
The cruelty of the state apparatus was manifest during her transit to Patuakhali Jail. Crammed into a microbus with jeering police officers, she was diverted to the Superintendent of Police’s office, where she was baselessly interrogated regarding links to militant organisations. Meanwhile, her father was manipulated into paying for the officers’ meals under the cynical pretence that they had provided her a “comfortable” journey.
Table: Chronology of Persecution and Legal Redress
| Key Date | Incident / Legal Milestone | Professional & Personal Impact |
| 3 August 2018 | Shared Facebook post on road safety. | Targeted by local authorities. |
| 5 August 2018 | Charged under Section 57(2) of ICT Act. | Arrested while 7 months pregnant. |
| 6 August 2018 | Suspended from her teaching post. | Total loss of income for 7+ years. |
| 23 Nov 2018 | Son born via surgery post-release. | Early motherhood spent in litigation. |
| 22 May 2025 | High Court quashed all proceedings. | Legal victory; ruled “abuse of law.” |
| 29 Dec 2025 | Reinstated to her school position. | Back pay and seniority restored. |
The Shadow of an “Illegal” Case
For years, Mrs Sonia lived as a social pariah, spending two years in self-imposed isolation to avoid the taunts of neighbours. The legal battle was equally gruelling; the High Court eventually observed that the police had filed a charge sheet under Section 57 of the ICT Act even after it had been repealed, calling the entire prosecution an “abuse of the law.”
Her reinstatement on 29 December 2025 came with the promise of full back pay, yet the emotional scars persist. Her son, now seven years old, has begun to ask why he was in a prison cell before he was even born. Human rights advocates, including Sara Hossain of BLAST, have called for the state to provide formal compensation and an investigation into the officers who orchestrated this dehumanising experience.
Return to the Classroom
Now back at her school, Mrs Sonia is busy reactivating her bank accounts and reclaiming seized property, including laptops and phones. She credits her husband’s unwavering support and the political shifts of 2024 for her eventual return to normalcy. While the state has restored her job, the demand for an official apology remains a central theme for those who stood by her during her “years in the dark.”