Bangladeshi sculptor returns after 8 yrs

Rashid Ahmed and his daughter-in-law were imprisoned in India on charges of carrying fake currency. Updates

Dhaka, Oct 27 (bdnews24.com) – Rashid Ahmed, a Bangladeshi sculptor imprisoned for almost eight years in India on charges of carrying fake currency is due to return home on Saturday, according to a newspaper report.

The Times of India reported that Rashid, 78, and his accomplice and daughter-in-law, Noor Nahar Lovely, had been released 18 months ahead of scheduled release on payment of Rs 150,000 fine each.

Rashid's works include the Muktijudhha Smriti Shoudha in Kushtia.

Three 'good Samaritans' -- Yogesh Kochhar, Ashish Wig and Chetan Seth -- are reported to have paid the fine on behalf of Rashid.

On his release, Rashid reportedly said that the trip to his motherland was worth a million 'Hajjs'.

They were arrested along with two Indian nationals with Rs 45,98,000 in fake currency from a hotel at Paharganj in New Delhi in 2004.

An Indian court slapped a fine of Rs 150,000 each for the convicted Rashid and Lovely, said the report. They were locked up after they exhausted their funds fighting the legal battle.

He was imprisoned for seven years and 11 months in Tihar jail in New Delhi.

According to family sources, Rashid and Lovely had an argument with their hotel manager over money and were soon arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation over allegation of possession of fake notes.

The prosecution alleged the possession of fake currency was part of a bigger conspiracy in December 2004. The court, however, ruled that the conspiracy allegation was not proved and sentenced them for possession of fake currency in violation of the provisions of the Customs Act.

Nazibur Rahaman, a consulate of the Bangladesh High Commission in India, is reported to have expressed his gratitude at their release.

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