The family of a 61-year-old man from Suti in Murshidabad has alleged that he was taken from his home late at night on suspicion of being a Bangladeshi national and was later pushed back across the border.
The family says it has been unable to confirm his whereabouts or condition since he was taken away.
Ibrahim Sheikh, a resident of Ramakantapur village under Suti police station, was allegedly taken from his home at around 2 am on July 28. According to his family, police personnel questioned him about his citizenship documents before taking him away.
The family later learnt from local sources that Ibrahim had allegedly been pushed back into Bangladesh. However, they claim they received no official information about where he was taken, the legal grounds for his detention or what procedure was followed.
Family Cites Old Documents and Electoral Roll
Ibrahim’s family says their ancestors had lived in the area for generations and had not migrated from Bangladesh.
They claim to possess several documents, including Aadhaar, PAN and voter identification documents, as well as an old family deed dating back to 1946.
The family also claims that Ibrahim’s name appeared in the 2026 electoral roll but was later deleted during the Special Intensive Revision process.
His mother, Hanifa Bewa, said the family had lived in India for generations.
According to the family, Ibrahim’s parents’ names appeared in the 2002 electoral roll, although Ibrahim’s own name was not included in that particular list.
Son Alleges Police Took Documents
The family alleges that no FIR, detention order, notice or other written communication was provided when Ibrahim was taken away.
A local resident, Aminul Sheikh, said the family approached Suti Police Station and the office of the Jangipur Superintendent of Police several times but could not obtain clear information about Ibrahim.
His son, Sovan Sheikh, told The Observer Post that police personnel arrived at their home during the night.
“That night, some policemen came and dragged my father away. When asked why father was being taken away, the policemen did not give any answer. The policemen wanted to see my father’s documents. We took out my father’s Aadhaar card, PAN card, voter card and the 1946 family document in front of them. They left with all those documents,” Sovan alleged.
Local panchayat member Mujkera Bibi said the circumstances should be investigated and questioned whether someone could be taken from his home without notice and subsequently pushed across an international border without due legal procedure.
Ibrahim’s mother has since approached the Calcutta High Court through a habeas corpus petition, seeking information about his whereabouts and his production before the court.
Three More Suti Residents Allegedly Picked Up
In a separate case, three residents of Kalupara village under Suti police station were allegedly taken from their home on suspicion of being Bangladeshi nationals.
According to their family, Abdul Jabbar and his two sons, Abdul Ahad and Abdul Jihad, were taken away at around midnight on August 8.
The family has questioned the basis of the alleged detention, saying the three men’s names appeared on the electoral roll and that they had participated in elections. The family also claims they possess valid passports and other documents.
Relatives have sought clarity on whether the three were formally detained, whether any written notice was issued and what legal procedure was followed if they were subsequently sent across the border.
APDR Seeks Answers on Alleged Pushbacks
The Association for Protection of Democratic Rights has published a fact finding report raising questions about the alleged detention of four residents from the Suti area.
The Jangipur branch said the families claimed their relatives were picked up from their homes late at night and subsequently “pushed back” into Bangladesh. However, APDR said the alleged pushbacks require independent verification through official records.
The organisation has sought information on the legal grounds for the detentions, the evidence used to establish the men’s nationality, whether they were given notices or access to legal assistance and whether they were produced before a court.
APDR has also questioned whether official records exist regarding their alleged transfer and whether the men are currently in India or Bangladesh.
Rights Group Demands Investigation
Rahul Chakraborty, a central committee member of APDR, told The Observer Post that the allegations were “extremely serious” and required an impartial investigation.
He said the facts could be established only by confirming the individuals’ whereabouts, allowing them to communicate with their families and making records of the administrative and legal action public.
“We demand that Abdul Jabbar, along with Ibrahim Sheikh and his two sons, be handed over to their families unharmed immediately. Unconstitutional and inhumane pushbacks must be stopped immediately. All holding centres in the state must be dismantled,” Chakraborty said.
