Sonali Khatun, the pregnant Indian woman who came under spotlight after being pushed into Bangladesh allegedly by India’s Border Security Force has finally returned to her country.
She and her eight-year-old son, Sabbir Sheikh, were handed over to Indian authorities on Friday evening.
The repatriation took place at 7:30pm at Sonamasjid Integrated Check Post following a formal flag meeting between Border Guard Bangladesh and the BSF.
Indian Deputy High Commissioner Manoj Kumar, along with officials from both border forces and the civil administrations of the two countries, attended the handover.
Six Indian nationals, including Sonali, were allegedly pushed into Bangladesh through the Kurigram border on 26 June. They were later detained and sent to jail on charges of illegal entry.
On 2 December, a Chapainawabganj court granted them bail on humanitarian grounds, particularly considering Sonali’s pregnancy, and placed them in the custody of Bangladeshi citizen Faruk Hossain. Diplomatic processes for their repatriation began soon afterwards.
Speaking at a press briefing after the handover, Lt Colonel Golam Kibria, commanding officer of BGB’s 59 Mahananda Battalion, said the BSF’s action was a clear violation of international human rights principles and bilateral border management agreements.
He said such push-ins have long created humanitarian challenges along the border and undermined efforts to maintain a peaceful and cooperative environment.
“Bangladesh had completed the repatriation process transparently and with dignity, guided by humanitarian considerations, and expressed hope that the BSF would ensure humane and respectful conduct in future,” he said.
Sonali Khatun expressed relief and gratitude for being able to return home, thanking both governments for their assistance.
Meanwhile, the other four Indian nationals, Danesh Sheikh, 28; Sweety Bibi, 33; Kurban Sheikh, 16; and Imam Dewan, 6, have been sent back to the custody of Faruk Hossain in Chapainawabganj.
According to case records, Indian police detained the six individuals in Delhi on 20 June. On 26 June, the BSF allegedly pushed them across the border into Bangladesh through Kurigram. After spending some time in Kurigram and Dhaka, they travelled to Chapainawabganj. Acting on intelligence, police arrested them on 20 August from a house in the Alinagar Bhutapukur area and sent them to jail by court order.
On 2 December, considering Sonali’s advanced pregnancy, the court granted bail to all six and placed them in custody of Faruk Hossain, pending their repatriation.
