Dhaka, June 8 -- The Shariatpur District Jail has continued to hold 17 Indian nationals despite the completion of their prison terms.

Prison authorities say repatriation has stalled because their identities remain unverified and repeated attempts to contact the Indian Embassy have brought no response.

On Sunday, Jailer Papiya Sultana said police from Padma Bridge South Police Station and Zajira Police Station had detained 20 people at different times near the Padma Bridge in 2022 and 2023.

They were later sent to prison by court order.

Although they have completed their sentences, they are still being held as release prisoners (RP) because the verification and repatriation process remains incomplete.

Among them, Indian nationals iden...