Immediately after resignation and fleeing of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Jail Senior Jail Superintendent of Kashimpur High Security Jail, Subrata Kumar Bala, through two of his confidantes, reportedly gave instigation to prisoners – including members of militancy outfits such as Ansar Al Islam (AAI), a local franchise of Al Qaeda, and Jamaatul Mujahedin Bangladesh (JMB) to stage “bloody revolt”, murder prison guards, imprisoned leaders of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jamaat-e-Islami and others and escape the prison.
According to a credible source, hearing the news of Sheikh Hasina’s fleeing the country, Bala became nervous and immediately joined the plot of spreading anarchy. It may be mentioned here that, Subrata Kumar Bala, a former teacher at Brac University, left the job and joined prison service under direct blessings from a key Awami League (AL) leader and a member of Sheikh family.
Media reports stated, Bala has been withdrawn from Kashimpur High Security Jail, due to the prison’s failure to maintain security during the inmates’ riot and escape.
It is further learnt, Subrata Kumar Bala was paying a handsome amount to the AL leader on a monthly basis. Similarly, another prison officer named Mahbubul Haque, who was known as “Sheikh Hasina’s son” has made massive wealth by abusing power and rampant corruption. He even released a number of top-terrorists, including Shahadat (in 2013) in exchange for cash. Mahbubul succeeded in remaining in Dhaka Central Jail as jailor for more than a decade, under the direct blessings of Sheikh Hasina. He also had access inside Gana Bhaban. He has extreme intimacy with Hasina’s infamous “peon” Jahangir Alam. Due to such intimacy with Alam and connections with Sheikh Hasina, despite media reports exposing rampant corruption of Mahbubul Haque, Anti-Corruption Commission could not begin any investigation.
Similarly, by abusing power and using his connections with the key AL leader, Subrata Kumar Bala has equally made massive fortune.
On August 6, 2024, at least 209 prisoners escaped Kashimpur high-security prison. Six people including three militants were killed by the prison guards.
