West Bengal rights group Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM) has approached the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), seeking urgent intervention into the alleged illegal detention and subsequent disappearance or transfer to Bangladesh of Abdul Rahim, a 37-year-old paddy trader from Kuilara Anantapur village under Bhatol Gram Panchayat in Uttar Dinajpur district of West Bengal.
In a complaint dated October 8, MASUM Secretary Kirity Roy alleged that Rahim was taken into custody at Bhatol Police Out Post on June 3, 2026, after he voluntarily appeared before the police with his identity documents. The complaint raises serious questions about the circumstances of his detention, the alleged seizure of his documents and reports that he subsequently made telephone calls to his family from Bangladesh.
According to the complaint, a group of police personnel, Border Security Force (BSF) personnel and civic police personnel arrived at Rahim's residence at around 11 p.m. on June 2 while apparently searching for him. As Rahim was not present at the house, the personnel allegedly took away his elder son, Abu Kalam, aged about 26. The family was reportedly not provided with an arrest memo or clear information about the legal grounds for his detention. Abu Kalam was subsequently released, according to the complaint.
The following morning, Rahim's father, Lal Mohammad, his uncle Serajul Haque, local panchayat representatives Yusuf and Nayyem Aktar, and other villagers reportedly went to Bhatol Police Out Post seeking Abu Kalam's release. The police allegedly asked them to produce Rahim. Acting in good faith, Rahim went to the outpost accompanied by the group and carrying his Aadhaar card, voter identity card, PAN card, ration card and other documents.
MASUM alleged that the police took possession of these documents without preparing or providing a seizure list or receipt. Instead of being allowed to return home following verification, Rahim was allegedly detained in the police lock-up between approximately 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. on June 3.
The complaint further alleged that when representatives and activists subsequently enquired about Rahim's whereabouts, the police initially denied that he had been detained. When further questions were raised, the officer identified as being in charge of Bhatol Out Post, Shubham Saha, reportedly said that he could not recall the case at that time.
The family has since allegedly received telephone calls from Rahim from numbers believed to originate in Bangladesh. MASUM stated that the numbers and call details were available and could be submitted to the Commission for verification.
The complaint emphasised that Rahim's nationality remains a matter requiring lawful verification and that any suspicion regarding his citizenship cannot, by itself, justify secret detention or removal without due process. It referred to the constitutional safeguards under Articles 21 and 22, which protect personal liberty and provide safeguards against arbitrary arrest and detention.
MASUM has sought an independent and impartial investigation by an agency or officer unconnected with the personnel and units allegedly involved. It has urged the NHRC to ascertain Rahim's present whereabouts and legal status, obtain all records relating to his alleged arrest and detention, and establish whether he was produced before a magistrate or transferred under any written legal order.
The organisation has also requested the immediate preservation of police station diary entries, arrest and detention registers, CCTV footage, vehicle and GPS records, BSF operational records, wireless communications, call-detail records subject to lawful procedure, custody-transfer documents, border records and communications between Indian and Bangladeshi authorities concerning Rahim.
If the allegations are substantiated, MASUM has sought appropriate action against officials found responsible for unlawful detention, suppression or destruction of records, or other violations of human rights. It has also urged the Commission to ensure that Rahim's wife, four children and other family members are protected from intimidation or harassment, and to consider interim compensation if unlawful detention or other human-rights violations are established.
The complaint calls for reports from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the West Bengal government and the competent BSF authority explaining the legal procedure, if any, followed in connection with Rahim's alleged removal from India.
Roy argued that the central issue is not simply whether Rahim is an Indian citizen or a foreign national, but whether the authorities complied with the law when they allegedly took him into custody and what happened to him thereafter. He stressed that his family must be informed of his whereabouts and legal status.
The complaint describes the matter as an urgent human-rights concern involving alleged violations of personal liberty, questions of custodial accountability and the welfare of four children separated from their father. MASUM has requested the NHRC to take cognisance of the allegations and issue appropriate directions for an independent investigation and the immediate verification of Rahim's safety and whereabouts.
The allegations are contained in the complaint submitted by MASUM and require independent verification by the concerned authorities. The complaint does not, by itself, establish whether Rahim was transferred to Bangladesh or whether any official acted unlawfully.
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