Staff Reporter:
Jewel Hasan alias Saddam, a leader of the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League, alleged that the jailer of Bagerhat District Jail demanded Tk5 lakh as bribe from him, a claim strongly denied by the prison authorities.
Jewel made the allegation after being released on bail and returning to Bagerhat on Wednesday evening (28 Jan) from Jashore Central Jail.
While speaking to journalists after visiting the graves of his wife and children, he claimed that the Bagerhat jailer had demanded money from him to allow him to remain at the jail.
A video of Jewel’s comments has since gone viral on social media.
In the video, he is heard saying that the Bagerhat jailer asked him for Tk5 lakh, allegedly stating that the amount had to be paid if he wanted to stay in Bagerhat Jail.
However, Bagerhat District Jail authorities have rejected the allegation, calling it baseless and misleading.
Jailer Khondaker Md Al-Mamun said Jewel had been aggressive from the beginning of his incarceration, verbally abusing and even physically assaulting others.
For security reasons, he was kept in a cell, which he clarified was not a form of punishment but a controlled area for safety.
The jailer further said Jewel was transferred to Jashore due to his behaviour and denied having the authority to arbitrarily transfer inmates.
Describing the bribery claim as false propaganda, Al-Mamun said Jewel is spreading unfounded allegations in the aftermath of a tragic personal loss, adding that no such demand was ever made.
