Pabna, Mar 11 (V7N)– A 23-year-old Nepali youth, who was imprisoned in Bangladesh for nearly two years after illegally crossing the border, has finally returned home—thanks to the humanitarian efforts of a local jail superintendent.

Ram Rishi Chowdhury, son of Ramji Chowdhury and Pundi Kumari Chowdhury from Sarlahi district, Nepal, was arrested in Ishwardi, Pabna, on June 11, 2023, for illegal entry. Initially claiming to be Indian, his mental condition was unstable, according to Pabna Jail Superintendent Omar Farooq. After receiving treatment, he was later identified as Nepali.

Upon realizing his nationality, Superintendent Farooq took the initiative to facilitate his return. The Nepalese Embassy in Dhaka was contacted, and an interpreter, Riya Chhetri, was sent to verify his identity. On January 23, 2025, a Pabna court judge ruled that since Chowdhury was not an Indian citizen, he could not be sentenced under Bangladesh's illegal entry laws and should be sent back to Nepal.

Following legal procedures and government approvals, Chowdhury was officially handed over to Nepali Embassy official Yojana Bamjan on March 6, 2025, in the presence of Bangladeshi officials. His total time in jail was one year, eight months, and 25 days.

Superintendent Omar Farooq, who has now facilitated the repatriation of 23 Indian and Nepali nationals, expressed his personal satisfaction in helping stranded foreigners reunite with their families. "Doing such work gives me peace. As long as I have this job, I want to continue helping others," he said.

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