India seeks “effective consular access” to nationals in Bangladesh prisons

India has sought “effective consular access” to persons claiming to be Indian nationals lodged in Bangladeshi prisons, while Dhaka says it works on each case promptly, though the verification process takes time.

The Indian High Commission in Dhaka continues to pursue the matter with the Bangladeshi authorities concerned for expeditious consular access and the repatriation of Indian nationals upon completion of the requisite formalities.

One of the Indian nationals, Charal Devi, has already completed her sentence, and the Indian Mission in Dhaka has formally taken up her repatriation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) through a Note Verbale.

However, the Indian side claimed that it has received no response from the MoFA despite subsequent follow-ups, with the latest reminder sent on September 22 this year.

“Consular access is a regular process, and it is usually sought by both sides,” a government source told UNB, noting that the process leads to regular repatriation once jail terms end.

“I can’t tell you about a specific case. I can tell you that we work on each and every case very promptly. It takes time to complete the verification process, including establishing communication with the relatives,” the source said, adding that there are various categories of cases and a systematic process is followed.

When asked about a media report that 45 Indian nationals at Jashore Jail were preparing to return home, sources at the Indian High Commission said the Mission has been consistently taking up with the MoFA the issue of effective consular access.

While the MoFA has, in several cases, conveyed its approval for consular access in principle, actual access has not always been facilitated by the concerned prison authorities, including in cases where MoFA approval had already been received, the Indian side said.

In the absence of effective consular access and direct interaction with the individuals concerned, it becomes difficult for the High Commission to ascertain their identity and nationality, the sources said. -UNB