'Jailed 18yrs over mistaken identity': Family gives 7-day ultimatum for Badal's release

Family members of Badal Farazi have issued a seven-day ultimatum to the government, demanding clear directives for his release, alleging he has been wrongfully imprisoned for 18 years due to mistaken identity.

Prison authorities, however, say they cannot release him without official orders.

At a human chain held in front of the National Press Club yesterday (6 April), relatives and activists called for Badal's immediate release under the banner "18 years in jail due to wrong judgment: India to Bangladesh, when will Badal Farazi be freed?"

Assistant Inspector General (Development and Media) of the prison directorate, Md Jannat-ul Farhad, told The Business Standard that Farazi cannot be released as no formal order has been received.

Prison authorities said a life sentence implies imprisonment for life, although reductions may be considered based on good behaviour after 14 years. In Farazi's case, a review petition seeking a sentence reduction was sent to the Indian authorities but was rejected.

Speaking at the programme, Badal's elder sister, Aklima Akter, claimed he was innocent and had already completed his sentence. "India sent him back to Bangladesh under a prisoner exchange agreement. Although his sentence ended four years ago under Indian law, he has not been released yet," she said.

She also made an emotional appeal, saying their father died waiting for his son's release, while their mother is now on her deathbed. "Please ensure my mother can see her son at least once before she dies," she said.

Farazi travelled to India on 13 July 2008 and was arrested days later in connection with a murder case.

Indian police allegedly mistook him for another person named Badal Singh in a case involving the killing of an elderly woman in Delhi's Amar Colony earlier that year.

He was sentenced to life imprisonment by a Delhi court on 7 August 2015, a verdict later upheld by a higher court. Farazi spent around 10 years in Delhi's Tihar Jail, where he completed his secondary, higher secondary and undergraduate education.

His case drew attention after interaction with a human rights activist, leading to a campaign titled "Justice for Badal." Following efforts by authorities, he was repatriated to Bangladesh in July 2018 under a prisoner exchange agreement.

According to his family, Farazi completed a 14-year sentence on 20 July 2022, as per the Indian court's order. However, he remains in custody due to legal complications.

At the human chain, writer Rahitul Islam warned that protests would intensify if the issue is not resolved within seven days. "A person has remained in prison for 18 years due to a name mismatch; this is a grave injustice," he said.

Pavel Babu, co-founder of Prochesta Foundation, also questioned the delay, saying even if Farazi were assumed to be the person in question, his sentence has already been served. "This is a serious violation of human rights. The government must clarify its position within seven days," he said.