Compensation demanded for wrongly convicted Jahalam

“I was jailed for nothing. I want justice. I want to be compensated for my sufferings,” Jahalam said to the media on the night of his release from prison where he languished for three years, mistakenly accused in 26 cases filed by the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC).

His family, people from all spheres of society and rights bodies are seeking compensation for him.

Jahalam was implicated in 26 graft cases which were actually filed against a certain Salek. Jahalam had been in jail for three years until the matter was brought to public attention by the daily newspaper Prothom Alo, after which the High Court intervened.

ACC formed a committee to probe the wrongful imprisonment of Jahalam on Monday.

“We will take up the matter very seriously. If any of the ACC officials are found guilty, stern action will be taken,” said ACC chairman Iqbal Mahmud.

A High Court bench passed an order on Sunday asking to acquit Jahalam in 26 cases immediately. The court also asked the ACC to identify the person behind such wrongful investigation or else the HC would have to ‘intervene’.

“We are not supposed to keep an innocent person behind bars even for a minute,” the court said during the hearing on Monday.

After being released from Kashimpur jail, Jahalam returned to his home in Dhuburia. He burst into tears as he embraced his family and relatives.

His mother Monowara Begum bathed him in milk as a customary ritual.

"I want the people who sent him to jail to be punished.I have become destitute working for the release of my son. Who will pay the compensation?" Monowara Begum asked the journalist.

One of the Prothom Alo correspondents visited his village. Jahalam’s daughter is four now. She could not recognise her father at first. His mother, brothers and wife burst into tears seeing him free after three years.

Jahalam visited his neighbours with his daughter. The neighbour also burst into with tears and greeted him. Several of them said, it was sad that a boy like him had to go through such sufferings in false cases.

In the meantime, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) expressed relief that Jahalam was finally released and sought appropriate compensation for his sufferings.

In a press release, TIB said ACC's activities had become questionable.

“The incidents have raised many questions that need to be answered,” said Iftekharuzzman, TIB's executive director.