Jalil Akhtar: Valid Indian documents, cleared SIR in 2002 & 2026, yet arrested as a ‘Bangladeshi’

According to a report by Alt News, an elderly man named Jalil Akhtar was taken into custody by police in the Dalkhola region of West Bengal on the night of June 19. Family members allege that Akhtar, a resident of Bagroi village in the Karandighi block of Uttar Dinajpur district, was removed from his home by officers during the night without clear justification provided at the time of the incident.

Akhtar’s family claims that he possesses valid Indian identification documents and has successfully cleared Subjective Identification Reports (SIR) in both 2002 and 2026. The family maintains that these records confirm his status as an Indian citizen, contradicting the reported grounds for his detention, which allegedly involve accusations that he is a Bangladeshi national. The detention has sparked concerns among local activists regarding the procedural transparency of identity verification processes in the region.

As of now, the Dalkhola police have not released an official statement regarding the specific evidence or legal basis for the arrest. The case highlights ongoing tensions and legal complexities surrounding citizenship documentation and residency verification in border districts of West Bengal. Further developments are expected as the family seeks legal counsel to challenge the detention and present the documentation they claim proves Akhtar's citizenship status.