Sunali's family stares at uncertainty as she languishes in a Bangladeshi jail

Kolkata: The family of Sunali Khatun stares at an uncertain future even as efforts are being made to move a bail petition in a Bangladesh court. An eight-month pregnant Sunali Khatun, who was nabbed by police from Delhi and sent to Bangladesh last month, along with five other Indians, are languishing in Bangladesh's Chapai Nawabganj prison. She has a son who is also imprisoned with her and her husband Danish Sekh. West Bengal Migrant Welfare Board chairman Samirul Islam said all efforts are on to bring them back to West Bengal.

Danish Sekh, Sunali Khatun and their minor son hail from Paikar village under Muraroi police station in Birbhum district in West Bengal. Sunali's father claims that Danish and his family have been living in Delhi for more than 20 years. Sunali's six-year-old daughter is inconsolable and with Sunali's mother in Paikar village.

Speaking to ET, Sunali's father Bhodu Sekh said: "Sunali's daughter is with us. We have been residents of Birbhum's Paikar village for ages and my grandparents were residents here. We have all the documents and Sunali also has an Indian Aadhaar card. I am worried about my daughter who is heavily pregnant and in jail."


"Three others, who have been arrested along with Sunali, her husband Danish Sekh and my grandson, are also our neighbours in the same village. My son-in-law is not from Bangladesh and their family has been living in Delhi for the last 20 years. We are illiterate and poor people. We don't have any knowledge about the legal system. We are completely dependent on the West Bengal Migrant Welfare Board and their effort for my daughter's return," Bhodu Sekh said.

They were recently arrested and jailed by Bangladesh police as illegal immigrants. Speaking to ET, Trinamool Rajya Sabha MP Samirul Islam said, "We will leave no stone unturned to ensure that Sunali Khan, her family and the other three residents of Birbhum, return to Bengal safely."