A local politician in Joypurhat was released on temporary parole for two hours to attend his mother’s funeral and burial, remaining in handcuffs throughout the proceedings. Rashedul Islam, the organisational secretary of the Joypurhat District Volunteer League, was escorted by police to pay his final respects, drawing widespread discussion and criticism after images and video footage of the event circulated across social media platforms on Tuesday.

Rashedul Islam, son of the late Shamsuddin, hails from Dhontola village in the Chaumuni Bazaar area under Mahmudpur Union in Khetlal Upazila. He has been incarcerated at Joypurhat District Jail since 22 August, following his arrest in connection with a sabotage case filed over the 2024 student movement.

According to family sources, Rashedul’s mother, Rahima Bibi, passed away early Tuesday morning due to age-related illnesses. Desiring to allow him a final glimpse of his mother and participation in the last rites, his family submitted an urgent application to the local administration requesting temporary parole. Authorities subsequently granted a two-hour release under strict police supervision.

Under heavy police escort, officers brought Rashedul to his family home, where he spent a brief period beside his mother’s body whilst remaining handcuffed. He was then led to the local funeral prayers (janazah) and the subsequent burial at the village graveyard, with restraints kept on his wrists throughout the religious rituals. Once the burial concluded, law enforcement officers promptly transported him back to the correctional facility.

Confirming the administrative details, Tofael Ahmed Khan, Jailer of Joypurhat District Jail, stated that Rashedul was released on parole at 2:15 pm on Tuesday following formal approval. Upon the expiration of the allocated time window, escorting officers returned him to the prison gates at 4:15 pm.

Addressing the public reaction regarding the use of handcuffs during a religious service, the jailer clarified that the management of restraints outside the prison perimeter falls strictly under the operational jurisdiction of the police escort team rather than prison authorities. The incident has sparked a debate among local human rights advocates and community members over the necessity of keeping non-violent detainees restrained during sensitive humanitarian events.