Teenager wrongfully sent to jail, claims his family

Parents of an arrestee in a case filed over vandalising and looting of a fashion outlet in Barishal city on March 7 have alleged that their teenage son was falsely sent to jail while the actual accused roam free.

Around 40 to 45 miscreants on the evening of March 7 vandalised and looted the outlet -- Top Ten Mart Limited -- on Sadar Road in the city, according to its authorities.

During the incident, the employees of the shop detained five attackers and handed them over to police, they further said.

The outlet's branch manager filed a case over attacking and looting goods worth Tk 50 lakh with Kotwali Police Station against 21 named and 20 to 25 unnamed accused the next day.

Following that, police also arrested 14 people.

According to Kotwali police, a youth named "Al-Amin Sohan" surrendered and was sent to jail as a named accused in the case on March 10.

But Al-Amin's mother, Fulbanu Begum, alleged that her son left for Kuakata on March 8 and was not involved with the incident.

She also showed his birth certificate, school and other documents, according to which, his name is not Al-Amin Sohan. It's Al-Amin.

Moreover, he was born on December 5, 2005 and he is 16 years old at the moment, she said.

Contacted, SI Ashraful Alam, the investigating officer lof the case, said the youth introduced himself as "Al-Amin Sohan" and said he was involved with the incident.

"So, we produced him before a court, which sent him to jail the next day," he added.

About his age, the IO said they are looking into the matter.

OC Nurul Islam of Kotwali Police Station said according to the case statement, there was an accused named Sohan who surrendered on March 10, saying that his name is Al-Amin Sohan.

Meanwhile, according to the CCTV footage of the incident, which was leaked to media, the person "Sohan" is actually Mazaharul Islam Sohan, a Chhatra League activist, said locals and BCL sources.

According to locals, Mazaharul Islam Sohan has an "internet business" where Al-Amin works.

As the full name, address and age of the accused were not mentioned in the case, Mazaharul apparently used Al-Amin to avoid arrest.

"If Mazaharul Islam Sohan is in the CCTV footage, a case will also be filed against him," said the OC. "We are also trying to figure out if this was an incident of a proxy," he added.

Police said they are looking for Mazaharul. He was, however, seen at the opening ceremony of a cricket tournament at Government BM College on the evening of March 9, confirmed BCL sources.

Asked, Barishal City Corporation Mayor Serniabat Sadik Abdullah said, "We have heard about such allegations. We have informed police to investigate the matter and take action against those involved."

Mentionable, the mayor is also Awami League general secretary of Barishal city unit and BCL is its student wing.