BRAHMANBARIA, July 1: Former Akhaura Upazila Swechchhasebak League General Secretary Shah Alam Khandaker, who is currently in jail in connection with a political case, was granted a three-hour parole on Tuesday to attend the funeral of his mother, Halima Begum. However, his appearance at the funeral while handcuffed and surrounded by a heavy police escort has triggered fresh discussion over the balance between security measures and humanitarian considerations for detainees facing family bereavement.
According to local authorities, Shah Alam was released from Brahmanbaria District Jail on parole between 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. following approval from the district administration. Under police escort, he was taken to Nurpur Lamarbari village in Dakshin Union of Akhaura Upazila, where he attended the funeral prayers held at Nurpur Purbapara Jame Mosque grounds before his mother’s burial in the family graveyard.
Eyewitnesses said Shah Alam remained handcuffed throughout the funeral, while police officers maintained a tight security cordon around him. After the burial, he was returned to Brahmanbaria District Jail within the permitted time.
Mother Fell Ill After Visiting Him in Jail
Family members said Shah Alam has been incarcerated in a political case filed after the country’s political transition. They alleged that his mother, Halima Begum, 75, became seriously ill after visiting her son in prison several days earlier. She later died Monday night while undergoing treatment at a hospital.
Following her death, the family submitted an application to the Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate requesting parole so that Shah Alam could pay his final respects and attend the funeral.
Responding to that request, Additional District Magistrate Ehsan Murad approved a three-hour parole on humanitarian grounds.
Confirming the arrangement, Brahmanbaria District Jail Superintendent Md. Mojibur Rahman Majumder said the prisoner was released within the approved time frame and returned to jail after the funeral in accordance with the parole order.
“I Could Not Serve My Mother”
Speaking briefly after the funeral, Shah Alam became emotional while asking those present to pray for his mother’s soul.
“I could not serve my mother, and that is my greatest sorrow. A few days ago, my mother became ill after visiting me in prison. She later died while receiving treatment at the hospital. Still, I am grateful to Almighty Allah that I was given the opportunity to attend her funeral,” Shah Alam said after the funeral prayers at Nurpur Purbapara Jame Mosque grounds on Tuesday, according to local media reports.
Witnesses described a somber atmosphere as relatives and local residents gathered for the funeral, with many expressing sympathy for both the deceased and her grieving son.
Police: Court Order Was Followed
Akhaura Police Station Officer-in-Charge Javed ul Islam said the parole was granted through due legal process.
“Shah Alam Khandaker was released on parole following the court’s order. After the funeral, he was brought back to Brahmanbaria District Jail under police security,” the police official said on Tuesday while confirming the arrangements.
Authorities did not publicly explain why Shah Alam remained handcuffed during the funeral, though security officials generally retain discretion over escort procedures for prisoners released temporarily under parole.
Humanitarian Questions Over Use of Handcuffs
The incident has renewed discussion among legal observers and human rights advocates regarding the treatment of detainees attending funerals or visiting critically ill relatives.
In Bangladesh, parole is generally granted under exceptional humanitarian circumstances, including the death or critical illness of close family members. Prisoners released on temporary parole remain in legal custody and are typically escorted by law enforcement personnel.
However, legal experts have long argued that security measures should be proportionate to the actual risk posed by the prisoner. They note that while maintaining custody is a legitimate state responsibility, excessive restraints during deeply personal family occasions can raise concerns about dignity, necessity, and humane treatment.
The use of handcuffs during funeral attendance has periodically generated public debate in Bangladesh, particularly in politically sensitive cases where supporters allege that security measures are unnecessarily restrictive, while authorities maintain they are following established custodial procedures.
Political Context
Shah Alam previously served as General Secretary of the Akhaura Upazila unit of the Swechchhasebak League. His supporters describe the case against him as politically motivated, reflecting a broader pattern of legal actions taken against many leaders and activists associated with the former governing party since the political transition that followed the ouster of the Awami League government in August 2024.
Opposition figures and rights advocates have repeatedly expressed concern over the growing number of arrests and prolonged detention of political activists, arguing that humanitarian considerations should receive greater attention regardless of political identity.
Against that backdrop, images of Shah Alam attending his mother’s funeral in handcuffs have drawn renewed attention to the broader debate over how detainees are treated during periods of personal tragedy, with observers questioning whether existing security protocols adequately balance public safety with basic human dignity.
