A Thakurgaon man charged with narcotics possession has allegedly received bail after producing the death certificate of his living father.
The accused Masud Rana Babu, 28, hails from the Ranisankail upazila of the district.
According to the case file, Babu was arrested with 55 yaba tablets in his possession by the Detective Branch (DB) of Police on March 25, and later sentenced to imprisonment by the court after DB Sub-Inspector (SI) Nur Alam Siddique filed a case against him with Ranisankail police station.
Afterwards, the youth appealed for bail showing the court papers supposed to be his father’s death certificate, and showing his mother’s illness on April 18, which the judge granted.
Signed by the Union Parishad Chairman Shafiqul Islam Mukul of Dharmagarh union in the upazila, the certificate even stated that he knew Babu personally. It also stated that his father had passed away on April 15.
Upon visiting his village, it was seen that his father is alive and his mother is in good health. When informed of the situation, his father said: “I have not spoken to my son for a long time as he had been dealing drugs in secret. DB arrested him a few days ago.
“I am not dead. I had no idea he used my death certificate in court to get out of trouble. No one told me about this,” he added.
When asked about his affirmation of the matter, UP Chairman Shafiqul said: “I knew Babu’s father to have been sick for a long time. A man came to my office asking for his death certificate. I was busy, so I assumed the worst and signed the document. Later, I found out that he was alive.”
Babu could not be reached for comment, but his lawyer Fazle Rabbi Bakul said: “As the certificate was signed by the UP chairman, I did not think to question its verity. I will make it a point to do so from now on.”
Ranisankail Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Moushumi Afrida said she would look into the matter and take steps as necessary.
