Verified: 75-year-old father, two housewives, and 6-year-old child jailed after fugitive escapes police in Ukhiya, Cox's Bazar

The Claim

A social media post by KUSHIARA24 on 13 April 2026 claimed that an Awami League leader's father, 6-year-old niece, and family members were sent to jail in Ukhiya, Cox's Bazar. A video by TTN Online BD also covered the incident with the headline: "6-year-old child from Ukhiya went to prison with mother."

Verdict: Verified

This claim is completely true — and represents a shocking case of police overreach, collective punishment, and the breakdown of rule of law.

Multiple independent national newspapers confirm every detail:

1. A 6-year-old innocent child was sent to prison. Maira Moni — not named in any case, not accused of any crime — was sent to Cox's Bazar District Jail with her mother. She is 6 years old. ^[1]

2. A 75-year-old elderly man was arrested and jailed. Jafar Alam committed no crime. His only "offence" was being the father of a local Awami League leader whose brother escaped police custody. ^[2]

3. Two innocent housewives were arrested. Rozina Aktar and Farjana Hakim Nither were charged with "assaulting police" — a charge that was so weak the court granted bail the very next day. ^[3]

4. The actual fugitive escaped — the innocent family was punished instead. Mizanur Rahman, serving a 6-month sentence, escaped while in handcuffs. Rather than pursuing him, police arrested his family members in what appears to be an act of collective punishment. ^[4]

5. Bail granted the next day — proving the charges were retaliatory. On Monday afternoon, a Cox's Bazar court released all detainees on bail, demonstrating the baselessness of the original charges. ^[5]

What Happened — The Full Story

Background

The incident involves the family of Salahuddin, Chairman of Rajapelong Union Awami League in Ukhiya, Cox's Bazar. His younger brother Mizanur Rahman (Mizan) had a 6-month sentence pending in a criminal case.

The Night of 11 April 2026 (Saturday)

Police raided Salahuddin's home in Shekhpara village, Rajapelong, to arrest Mizan. They apprehended him, but while being transported to the police station in handcuffs, Mizan escaped.

What happened next is deeply alarming. Rather than pursuing the actual fugitive, police arrested his innocent family members.

Who Was Arrested

Police filed a case for "obstruction of government work and assault on police" — naming 15 individuals and 10-15 unnamed persons as accused. An entire family and neighbourhood was effectively criminalised.

Maira Moni — The Most Heartbreaking Chapter

Maira Moni is approximately 6 years old. She has committed no crime. Her name does not appear in any case file. Yet she spent a night in Cox's Bazar District Jail.

Police claim: "The child was sent to court with her mother on family request." But the real question is — why was her mother arrested at all? An innocent woman and her child were punished for the actions of someone else entirely.

When released on bail Monday afternoon, Maira was seen smiling at the prison gate.

Legal Analysis — What the Law Says

1. Can a 6-year-old be criminally charged?

Absolutely not. Bangladesh Penal Code 1860, Section 82 provides absolute immunity: "Nothing is an offence which is done by a child under nine years of age." This is the doctrine of doli incapax — a child under 9 is legally incapable of committing any crime. No exceptions. ^[7]

2. Children Act 2013

Section 4 defines all persons under 18 as "children" with special protections regarding arrest and detention. These protections were not observed in this case.

3. Children in Bangladesh Prisons

According to the Bangladesh Prison Department, 304 children currently live in 68 prisons across the country with their mothers. While children under 6 may technically accompany incarcerated mothers when no guardian exists, this provision is meant for legitimate cases — not as a consequence of retaliatory arrests. ^[8]

4. Legal Experts Condemn the Arrests

Advocate Abdul Mannan, President of Cox's Bazar District Bar Association: "Under Bangladesh law, children under 9 cannot be held criminally liable. Including a child in such proceedings is extremely sensitive and legally questionable." ^[6]

Barrister Saffat Fardin Ramim: "Arresting a child under 9 violates established criminal law and basic human rights protections." ^[6]

Police Overreach — The Unanswered Questions

1. Why wasn't the actual fugitive recaptured? Mizan escaped in handcuffs — that is a failure of police, not of his family.

2. Why was an innocent family punished? A 75-year-old man, two housewives, and a 6-year-old child bear no legal responsibility for another person's escape.

3. Why was the case so broad? 15 named accused and 10-15 unnamed — this is not justice, this is intimidation of an entire community.

4. Were the "assault on police" charges genuine? Bail was granted the very next day, suggesting the charges were fabricated as retaliation.

5. Is this collective punishment? Punishing an entire family for one person's actions is prohibited under international humanitarian law and violates fundamental principles of individual criminal responsibility.

The Political Context

In the current political climate in Bangladesh, individuals associated with the Awami League and their families face widespread harassment, arrests, and prosecutions. This incident — where a Union-level Awami League leader's 75-year-old father, two housewives, and a 6-year-old child were jailed because a relative escaped police custody — is a stark example of how political affiliation is being weaponised against innocent people.

This is not law enforcement. This is collective punishment. When a 6-year-old child sleeps in a prison cell because of her uncle's political affiliation, the rule of law has failed.

Sources

^[1] Jugantor — Awami League leader's father and 3 family members sent to jail

^[2] Jago News 24 — Suspect escapes in handcuffs; elderly father, child, and two housewives jailed

^[3] Desh Rupantor — Police file case against father, child, wife, and sister-in-law

^[4] BD Today — 6-year-old child in jail with mother sparks outrage

^[5] Jugantor — Elderly father, child, and 2 housewives granted bail

^[6] Dainik Azadi — Child jailed with mother in Cox's Bazar sparks controversy

^[7] Bangladesh Penal Code 1860, Section 82 — Act of child under nine

^[8] Ajker Patrika — 304 children imprisoned with mothers in Bangladesh