Woman jailed over deceased husband's debt: HC summons 2 Faridpur court judges
BRAC Bank Boalmari branch manager also summoned
The High Court has summoned Faridpur Chief Judicial Magistrate MA Sayed and Money Loan Court judge AKM Rafiqul Hasan, to appear and explain why a Faridpur woman was sent to jail for her deceased husband's debt.
The court also asked for an explanation as to why her minor children were accused in the money loan case.
The HC bench of Justice Md Ashraful Kamal and Justice Kazi Waliul Islam issued the order today (25 February) after hearing a writ petition related to the matter, confirmed Assistant Attorney General AM Jamiul Hoque Faisal.
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Besides, the branch manager of BRAC Bank's Boalmari branch in the district has also been summoned to explain the matter.
They have been asked to appear in person on 6 March.
The court also granted bail to the woman, Popi Khatun, who had been in jail for two and a half months.
According to court sources, the HC also issued a rule asking why making the three minors accused and sending the widow to jail should not be considered illegal.
Background of the case
Popi Khatun has three children, Amin, accused in a money loan case filed by BRAC Bank over his debt, died in January 2023.
Her Husband Amin Sheikh had taken a loan of Tk30 lakh on 25 October 2022 and repaid Tk6,21,378 of the loan, including interest, in installments.
After his death, on 25 October 2023, the bank filed the case with the Faridpur District Judge's 1st Money Loan Court against six people, including Amin Sheikh's wife Popi Khatun and their three children.
Two and a half months ago, when Popi went to the court to get bail in this case, the Faridpur court sent her to jail.
Popi's lawyer Mehdi Hasan told the media that the three children, who are too young to understand money, loans, or financial transactions, were wrongfully accused in the case.
They were also made guarantors for the loan, despite being unaware of its implications.
Challenging the inclusion of herself and three minor children as defendants in the case, Popi Khatun filed a writ petition with the High Court.
Rasel Ahmed, the manager of BRAC Bank's Boalmari branch, said the loan was provided to Amin according to the bank's terms and conditions for his ongoing business.
He added, "The case has been filed against the guarantors and heirs for non-repayment of the loan as per the terms and conditions. Our lawyer can speak better about the case against the minor children."
