Explain in 4 weeks why order should not be issued

The High Court yesterday issued a rule asking the government to explain in four weeks as to why they should not be directed to stop “inhuman torture” on the prisoners in jails across the country.

In response to a writ petition, the court also ordered the home secretary and inspector general of police to investigate the reported incident of torture on Md Jabed Prince, an under trial prisoner of a case, in high security cell of Gazipur's Qashimpur jail, and to submit a report before it in 30 days.

Bangla daily Jugantor published a report on July 2 saying that the jail authorities tortured Prince inhumanly on June 19 as he drew attention of the authorities on insufficient iftar, given to him, and sought some iftar.

Yesterday, the HC came up with the order and rule after hearing the writ petition filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh challenging legality of the jail authorities' action to torture Prince.

Petitioner's counsel Manzill Murshid told the court that physical torture on detained persons was going on violating the constitution and law.