Hasina Begum, a resident of Jalirpar Union in Muksudpur upazila of Gopalganj, held a press conference at her residence in Jalirpar Bazar on Wednesday ( 16 July ) at 11 a.m., demanding the return of her son Rezwan Islam (19) and the highest punishment for a human trafficking ring.
Hasina Begum's younger sister Laboni Akter delivered the written statement on her behalf during the press conference. According to the statement, Hasina Begum, wife of the late Abul Kashem Sheikh of Jalirpar (Bongram) Bazar in Muksudpur upazila, has two sons: Hossain Manik and Md. Rezwan Islam Ratan (19). The younger son, Ratan, was studying in the Maulana section at Badsha Mia Madrasa in Shibchar upazila, Madaripur.
Hasina Begum was deceived by her close relatives:Jewel Sheikh (37),Kala Sheikh (42), father: Mannan Sheikh,Barsha (25), husband: Sohel Sheikh,Shiuli Akter Sharmin (28), husband: Jewel Sheikh, all from Mollakandi, Rajoir upazila, Madaripur district,Sweety Begum (25), husband: Aminul, from Boro Bhatra, Muksudpur,Sabana (35), husband: Bhashani,Bhashani (42), father unknown, from Gazipur district.
All of them are allegedly involved in human trafficking.
Since they were close relatives, they convinced Hasina Begum that they could send her son to Italy with a high-paying job. They told her it would cost 20 lakh taka, of which 8 lakh had to be paid upfront and the rest after arrival in Italy.
Accordingly, on 21 October 2024, in the presence of local witnesses at her home, Hasina Begum handed over 8 lakh taka and her son’s passport to Jewel Sheikh and his group. They assured her that Ratan would be sent to Italy within three months.
Later, on 28 January 2025, Jewel Sheikh and others returned to her home, demanding an additional 2 lakh taka. Still dreaming of sending her son abroad, Hasina Begum paid another 2 lakh taka in the presence of witnesses. After receiving the money, the traffickers left with Ratan, supposedly to send him to Italy. But instead, they sent him to Libya and informed the family that unless they paid the remaining amount, he couldn’t be sent to Italy.
In desperation, Hasina Begum’s family transferred another 6 lakh taka via various bank accounts. Even after receiving the full payment, the gang did not send Ratan to Italy but instead held him in a locked room in Libya under the custody of a mafia group, demanding an additional 15 lakh taka as ransom.
Laboni Akter stated that Hasina Begum has had no contact with her son for several months, and his whereabouts are unknown. Refusing to pay the ransom, she has persistently demanded her son’s return. However, the traffickers continued to pressure her for money, without giving any solution regarding the son’s return.
Left with no option, Hasina Begum filed a case on 29 May 2025 at Muksudpur Police Station against the following 7 individuals:Jewel Sheikh (37)Kala Sheikh (42),Barsha (25),Shiuli Akter Sharmin (28),Sweety Begum (25),Sabana (35),Bhashani (42).
The case number is G.R.-179/25. On 29 June, RAB-8 arrested prime accused Jewel Sheikh and co-accused Kala Sheikh from their residence. They are currently in Gopalganj district jail.
On 16 July 2025, at 11 a.m., Hasina Begum held a press conference at her home in Jalirpar (Bongram) Bazar demanding the return of her son Rezwan Islam Ratan and maximum punishment for the accused human traffickers.
In the written statement, Laboni Akter further emphasized that Jewel Sheikh and his associates are members of an organized human trafficking ring.
According to an investigative report by Sub-Inspector (Unarmed) Alamgir Hossain of Gohala Police Outpost under Muksudpur Police Station, the accused are part of a syndicate involved in trafficking people by luring them with promises of better lives abroad, only to detain them in Libya and extort ransom through their mafia collaborators.
