Mother with minor child sent to prison, two more children wait at jail gate

A heartbreaking scene seen at the Lakshmipur District Jail on Monday afternoon when a mother, ordered to prison in an assault case, was forced to take her two-and-a-half-year-old child with her behind bars while her two other children waited outside the jail gate in their school uniforms.

Farhana Akhtar Shilpi was escorted to the jail after an Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate court ordered her and another defendant, Zahir Uddin, to be imprisoned in connection with a physical assault case. 

Upon hearing of their mother's sentencing, relatives brought Shilpi’s two school-aged children to the prison gate. As she was taken inside, the toddler clung to her mother's lap, while the older siblings stood outside in confusion, unable to understand why their mother was suddenly being locked away. 

According to court sources, the case was filed on April 15 by Mahatab Uddin Bhuiyan, who alleged that Shilpi and several others attacked him in the Sahapur area of Lakshmipur Municipality. 

The complaint states that Shilpi struck the plaintiff on the back of the head with an iron rod, allegedly causing severe bleeding and injuries. A total of 10 individuals, including Shilpi, were named in the case, alongside five unidentified assailants. 

However, the defense claims the court's decision to deny bail contradicts the medical evidence. 

“The plaintiff’s statement alleges that Shilpi hit him with an iron rod so hard that his head burst and brain matter was exposed,” said defense lawyer Rakibul Hasan Tamim. “Yet, the medical certificate submitted to the court clearly documents only ‘simple injuries.’” 

Tamim noted that despite the offense being bailable based on the medical report, the court ordered the two defendants to be sent to jail. 

The imprisonment has raised significant humanitarian concerns, particularly regarding Shilpi's family. 

“Farhana Akhter Shilpi is currently in jail with her toddler, which is deeply troubling, especially since her other two children are currently taking their school exams,” said defense lawyer Mohsin Kabir Swapan. 

Lakshmipur District Jail in-charge Noor Mohammad Sohel confirmed to reporters that the mother and her young child were brought to the jail on Monday afternoon.