India to probe two detained Bangladeshis' innocence
India has started investigating Bangladesh's allegation about the detention of two of its citizens for committing crimes in New Delhi when they were not even in India.
"We have received the Bangladesh High Commission letter in September and the Indian High Commission in Dhaka also provided us information in this regard. We have sent the matter for investigation to the authorities concerned," Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Syed Akbaruddin told a press briefing in Delhi on Thursday.
The two Bangladeshis -- Badol Farazi, 22, and Abu Ishaque Howaldar, 60 -- are currently languishing in Tihar jail awaiting trial for nearly four and three years respectively.
According to documents resented in two Delhi courts, both men arrived in India several months after their alleged crimes -- murder in Farazi's case and robbery in Abu's -- were committed.
In two letters written to the external affairs and home ministries on August 3 and September 27 this year, the Bangladesh High Commission has sought help to ensure "early release and repatriation of the ill-fated individuals".
According to the letter of September 27, "Indeed both of them came to India later to the commission of offences but they are miserably suffering from criminal charges being imposed illegitimately. It is to note that the High Commission of India, Dhaka, has recently confirmed the issuance of visas for them, which substantiates their innocence without an iota of doubt. Surely, they are the scapegoat of others' offence, being victimised by the evil quarters."
Badol is accused of murdering an elderly woman at her home in Amar Colony in Delhi on May 6, 2008, but he had received a month's visa to visit India in July of 2008.
Abu, on the other hand, came to India twice on medical visas issued on January 19 and May 10 of 2010. He was arrested on August 9, 2010 in connection with a robbery committed in East of Kailash on the night of December 16-17, 2009.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments