Jute mill worker Jaha Alam, who has been released after three years in prison, has demanded that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina bring the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to justice for his wrongful imprisonment.
Jaha Alam was released from Kashimpur Central Jail in Gazipur in the wee hours of Monday under orders from the High Court.
"The ACC has kept me in jail for three years over a false case. I want strict repercussions for the ACC,” said Jaha Alam, expressing his grievance to journalists.
"I have spent many painful days in prison because of them. I worked as a servant in the prison ward. I had previously told ACC that I am Jaha Alam, not Saleque. But they did not believe me," he said.
The ACC in 2014 prosecuted one Abu Saleque in 33 cases on charges related to loan fraud involving of Tk 185 million from Sonali Bank. But due to a mistake committed by the ACC, Jaha Alam served three years in prison instead of Saleque, according to bdnews24.
A report titled ‘Sir, Ami Jaha Alam, Saleque Na’ was published in the national daily Prothom Alo on January 30, 2019. When the report was brought to the notice of the High Court, the court bench of Justice FRM Nazmul Ahasan and Justice KM Kamrul Kader ordered Jaha Alam’s freedom in 26 cases started by the ACC.
"I have been hurt badly. I want compensation. I want a job. I want the prime minister to bring the ACC to justice. I thank the court for releasing me. I never thought that I would be freed from jail. I am feeling very happy today,” said Jaha Alam.
Jaha Alam’s brother Sahanur Mia hugged him and burst into tears at the prison gate after his release.
He also thanked the court, demanded fitting justice for the mistake committed and also demanded compensation.