Four Indian nationals who had been living in Bangladesh after allegedly being pushed across the border by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) returned home through Sonamasjid Immigration in Chapainawabganj on Wednesday.
The four Danish Sheikh, Sweety Bibi, Qurban Sheikh and Imam Dewan completed immigration formalities with travel passes before being allowed to cross into India.
All four are residents of Dhrita village under Murarai Police Station in West Bengal’s Birbhum district.
Jamirul Islam, in-charge of Sonamasjid Immigration Police, said the necessary procedures were completed after verifying their travel documents, allowing them to return to India.
According to the returnees, they were among six Indian nationals, including two children, who were allegedly forced into Bangladesh by the BSF through the Kurigram border in June 2025.
After entering Bangladesh, they moved to different parts of the country before taking shelter at a relative’s house in Alinagar area of Chapainawabganj.
On August 20 last year, Chapainawabganj Sadar Model Police arrested the six Indian nationals from the area. A case was filed against the four adults, excluding the two children, on charges of illegal entry into Bangladesh.
The four were later sent to jail after being produced before a court. They secured bail on December 1 and were released from Chapainawabganj District Jail on December 5 after spending nearly three months in custody.
Earlier, India had taken back pregnant Sonali Bibi and her infant son through the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), but initially refused to accept the remaining four nationals. Since then, the four had been staying at the home of their relative Faruk Hossain in Chapainawabganj town.
Sources said legal proceedings in India later confirmed their citizenship. Following directions from the Calcutta High Court and subsequently the Supreme Court of India, authorities took steps to facilitate their return on humanitarian grounds.
India then issued travel passes for the four, allowing them to return through Sonamasjid Immigration at around 3:15pm on Wednesday.
Before leaving Bangladesh, the returnees expressed gratitude to the people and authorities of the country for their support during their stay.
