Indian authorities detained a Bangladeshi Islamist at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi after he attempted to leave the country for Europe. The man, identified as Ahmed Raza Hasan Mehdi, is accused in connection with the 2024 killing of a Hindu police officer in Bangladesh. After being stopped by immigration officials, he was later deported back to Bangladesh.

According to media reports, immigration authorities intercepted Mehdi at the airport before he could board his international flight. Officials questioned him and carried out the necessary procedures. Once the formalities were completed, he was placed on a return flight and sent back to Bangladesh.

Accused in 2024 Mob Killing Case

Mehdi is reported to be a “student coordinator” from Habiganj district in Bangladesh. He has been accused in the killing of Sub Inspector Santosh Chowdhury, who was attacked by a mob on 5th August 2024. The attack took place at the Baniyachang Police Station on a day when Bangladesh was facing serious political unrest.

That same day marked a major turning point in the country’s politics. Then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was removed from power after large scale anti government protests spread across the nation. Reports from that period suggest that Bangladesh witnessed widespread chaos. There were incidents of violence, arson, and attacks targeting members of the Hindu community. Several temples were also vandalised during the unrest, deepening fears and tensions in many areas.

Earlier on that day, clashes had broken out in the Baniyachang area between protesters and security forces. Police opened fire during the confrontation, and nine people lost their lives in the firing. The situation quickly escalated, creating an atmosphere of fear and disorder.

A video later surfaced, recorded at the Delhi airport, in which Mehdi spoke about his detention. In the video, he alleged that he was kept in police custody for around 40 minutes and claimed that he was mistreated during that time. He also stated that officials unlocked and checked his phone without his full cooperation.

In the video, he said, “I was in police custody for 40 minutes. I was badly treated, and the police wanted to put me in jail. I told them that if I had done any illegal work, then I should be allowed to speak to the embassy. But they didn’t cooperate. I am safe now. The police unlocked my phone and checked it. I will take action once I return home,” he said in the video.

So far, there has been no official response from Indian authorities regarding these allegations of abuse or mistreatment.

Killing of SI Santosh Chowdhury

Sub Inspector Santosh Chowdhury lost his life during the mob violence at the Baniyachang Police Station. His death sent shockwaves across the region. After the attack, his body was found hanging from a tree, a discovery that deeply disturbed many people and drew strong reactions from different communities.

At the time of his death, he had been married for only 10 months. His personal life was just beginning when it was suddenly cut short. Three months after he was killed, his son was born. He was also the only son of his parents, which made the tragedy even more painful for his family.

Earlier in 2024, Mehdi had reportedly claimed responsibility for the killing of Santosh Chowdhury. A video of him making that claim while sitting inside a police station in Bangladesh had gone viral on social media, drawing public attention and adding to the controversy surrounding the case.