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Published : 13 May 2026, 10:27 PM
Twenty Bangladeshi children and teenagers trafficked to India have returned home through the Benapole border after serving jail terms there.
The Indian Petrapole Immigration Police handed them over to the Benapole International Checkpost authorities on Wednesday evening, confirmed Syed Mortaza Ali, inspector (investigation) of Benapole Checkpost Immigration Police.
The returnees are residents of different areas in Bagerhat, Khulna, Narail and Jashore districts.
Among them are 13 girls and seven boys.
Most of the children had been staying in jail with their parents.
Although their prison terms ended, their parents remain imprisoned in different Indian jails.
Immigration police said the children had illegally entered India with their parents through the Benapole border in early 2024 with the help of traffickers.
Their parents worked in homes and fields in different parts of West Bengal.
Indian police detained them in late Dec 2025 on charges of illegal entry.
Later, courts in India sentenced them to different prison terms and sent them to jails in West Bengal.
After completing their sentences, they were kept at seven shelter homes, including Kisholoya and Surakanya, following a petition by an Indian human rights organisation.
Inspector Mortaza said the children had been handed over to Benapole Port Police after verification of their travel permits and completion of legal formalities.
Benapole Port Police chief Ashraf Hossain said the children were later handed over to human rights organisations, including Justice and Care, Bangladesh National Women Lawyers' Association and Rights Jessore, so they could be reunited with their families after completion of legal procedures.
