Pabna, Aug. 15 (V7N) — Golam Hasnain Russell, a former chairman of Bhangura Upazila Parishad, former mayor and general secretary of the Bhangura Upazila unit of the Awami League, was released on four-hour parole on Friday to attend the funeral prayers of his mother in Pabna.

Russell, the son of former Pabna-3 MP Mokbul Hossain, was brought to his family home in Sardarpara of Bhangura municipal area at around 9:30am under tight police security.

A large number of relatives, local residents and supporters had gathered at the house before his arrival.

After getting out of the police vehicle, Russell saw his mother’s body, which had been kept in a freezer van, for the final time. Overcome with emotion, he broke down in tears. He met his wife, son and other family members, while several relatives and well-wishers also became emotional.

Russell then changed his clothes and performed ablution before being taken under police escort to the funeral venue at the field of Bhangura Union School and College.

Upon arrival, he waved to those gathered there. Amid heavy security, he reached the funeral ground and briefly addressed the mourners before joining the funeral prayers.

In his remarks, Russell recalled his mother as a homemaker who had spent her life caring for the family and preparing meals for relatives and visitors.

He asked those attending the funeral to pray for his mother and seek Allah’s mercy for her, saying that human beings naturally have shortcomings and mistakes.

Russell also sought prayers for his family, particularly his son, and appealed to local residents to forgive the family if they had ever caused anyone any harm or inconvenience.

“Please forgive us for any mistakes our family may have made,” he told the mourners.

Thousands of relatives, local residents and leaders and activists of the Awami League from Bhangura, Chatmohar, Faridpur and surrounding areas attended the funeral prayers.

After the prayers, Russell was taken under police escort to the Par Bhangura cemetery, where he took part in the burial rites and offered prayers at his mother’s grave. He was subsequently taken back to prison in a police vehicle.

Russell’s mother, Nurjahan Rekha, wife of former Pabna-3 MP Mokbul Hossain, died at around 9:55am on Thursday while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Dhaka. She had been suffering from kidney complications and several other health problems for a prolonged period.

Her condition deteriorated about one and a half months ago, when she was admitted to a hospital in Dhaka. She was later placed on life support before her death.

Russell and his associate Bashir were arrested by police in the Mirpur area of Dhaka on the night of July 20. They were subsequently sent to jail after being shown arrested in an explosives-related case filed with Bhangura Police Station.

As his mother’s condition became critical, Russell’s lawyer had earlier applied to the court for his release on bail. After a lengthy hearing, Judge Aftabuzzaman of the Pabna District and Sessions Judge’s Second Court granted him bail on Wednesday, Aug. 12.

Although the court’s release order reached Pabna District Jail in due course, Russell was not released because police subsequently brought him before the court and showed him arrested in another case recently filed with Chatmohar Police Station.

As a result, the bail order in the earlier case could not take effect before he was detained in the new case.

The development raised concerns that Russell might not be able to attend his mother’s funeral. He reportedly broke down in tears while he was at the court after learning of her death.

Later, his application for parole was approved by the district administration, allowing him to leave custody temporarily and attend his mother’s funeral and burial.

END/MSR/SMA/