India releases Nur Hossain from jail, likely to deport him to Bangladesh

Indian jail authorities have released Narayanganj seven-murder case’s prime accused Nur Hossain, who is likely to be deported to Bangladesh soon, sources say.

The reciprocal gesture comes a day after Dhaka handed over to New Delhi ULFA leader Anup Chetia.

Indian officials, seeking anonymity, confirmed bdnews24.com of Hossain’s release on Thursday afternoon.

One of them said BSF officials were taking him to the Benapole border.

A police team, headed by seven-murder case’s investigation officer, was at Benapole on “orders from the government high-up”, Narayanganj SP Khandker Mohid Uddin told bdnews24.com on Thursday night.

Hossain fled to India after the murder of seven people last year. West Bengal police arrested and charged him with trespass and unauthorised possession of arms.

The Interpol later issued a red corner notice against him.

Last month, a West Bengal court withdrew charges against him to facilitate his deportation.

The government says he will be put on trial for murders that caused widespread public anger.

Seven men, including former Narayanganj City councillor Nazrul Islam, were abducted on Apr 27, 2014. Their bodies were found in the Shitalakkhya River several days later.

Nazrul’s father-in-law Shahidul Islam had claimed former Awami League leader Hossain bribed RAB Tk 60 million to carry out the crimes.

An internal investigation by the elite police unit implicated its former officials in the incident.

Police pressed charges in court against 35 people, including Hossain and three former RAB officers, on Apr 8.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Wednesday said they would receive Hossain at the border “just the way we left Anup Chetia there".

Narayanganj SP Mohid Uddin, when asked, said, “We cannot confirm the deportation until getting custody of Nur Hossain.”

He said Hossain has arrest warrants against him in 13 cases and was sentenced to one year in jail under the Wildlife Preservation Act.