KALPETTA: It was the irresistible pull of a fake profile picture on Facebook that landed a 27-year-old Bangladesh national in a prison here for two years. Jahidul Khan, hailing from Madaripur district in central Bangladesh, set out to meet his lover in Kerala, whom he got acquainted with on Facebook. In a hurry to meet the gorgeous looking woman, Jahidul forgot to obtain the required documents to travel to India.
Little did Jahidul, a painter, know what awaited him on the other side of the border. It was only after reaching his lover’s house at Meppadi in Wayanad that he discovered the harsh reality. His lover did not have any resemblance to the woman on the profile photo. The woman had used the photo of a leading Malayalam actress as her profile picture. This led to a verbal spat and quarrel between the duo following which locals intervened and handed over Jahidul to Meppadi police.
On questioning, the police found he did not have a passport or other essential travel documents. He was produced before the court which awarded him a jail sentence for traveling without valid documents. In between, Jahidul’s brother had produced the former’s passport in court. He was finally released three months ago after serving two years in Kannur central prison. But, that was not the end of troubles.
Meppadi police requested Bangladesh Embassy for the issuance of a travel permit and the receipt of which was acknowledged on Jahidul’s mobile number. But, the recent postal strike in the state turned out to be the villain this time. Neither the state home department nor Meppadi police have received the travel permit that was sent by post. Speaking to Express, Jahidul expressed his earnest desire to go back to his village at the earliest. “When I was released from jail, I was told I can go back home in a month’s time. But now, it’s been three months,” he said.
Meppadi Station House Officer Jithesh K S said, “We have again submitted a request to the Embassy for the issuance of a travel permit two weeks ago. On receiving the travel permit and getting a no-objection certificate from the district police chief, we can submit a request to FRRO seeking his deportation.”
Now, he has been provided shelter at the police station.