Father challenges verdict giving Japanese mother custody of children

Bangladesh-born US citizen Imran Sharif today challenged the family court verdict that dismissed the case filed by him in February last year, seeking custody of his children.

Judge AHM Habibur Rahman Bhuiyan of Dhaka's District and Sessions Judge's Court fixed February 16 to decide whether it would admit the appeal or not.

On January 29, Judge Durdana Rahman of Dhaka's Second Assistant Judge and Family Court gave the custody of the children -- Nakano Jasmine Malika, 11, and Nakano Laila Lina, 9 -- to their mother Eriko Nakano, who is a Japanese citizen.

The court said it reached the decision, considering the wellbeing of the children.

The same court also dismissed the case filed by Imran Sharif on February 28 last year, seeking the custody of the children.

Meanwhile, Imran's younger daughter Nakano Laila told the court that she wants to be in the custody of her father.

Nakano Laila expressed her preference today when she was produced before Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Mamunur Rashid while placing submissions in support and against her custody.

Magistrate Mamunur ordered that Nakano Laila would be in her father's custody until 11:00am tomorrow and then her mother would take her from Gulshan Police Station in her custody.

This process will continue till February 16, the magistrate said.

During this period, Eriko Nakano will not leave the country without court permission, the magistrate ordered.

Rab yesterday detained Imran with his daughter at Kalachandpur of Gulshan after Eriko Nakano filed a general dairy with Gulshan Police Station.

Rab later handed them over to Gulshan Police Station.

In her general diary, Eriko Nakano said she could not contact her younger daughter Nakano Laila, who was staying with her father at his Gulshan residence before the court ruling giving her custody, despite making several attempts.

She further said her mail to Imran got no reply.