Under-trial prisoners for over a decade

The High Court yesterday granted bail to five under-trial persons of Kashimpur jail, who have been suffering in custody for 11 to 14 years, in separate cases.

The accused prisoners are: Russel Sheikh, Mohammad Parvez, Masud, Liton and Babu.

The HC bench of Justice Md Nuruzzaman and Justice SH Md Nurul Huda Jaigirdar also directed the lower court concerned to complete the trial proceedings against two other prisoners -- Saidur Rahman and Rajib Hossain in the next three months.

They gave the orders after hearing a December 15, 2016 HC rule, asking the government to explain why the seven should not be granted bail.

The bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice JBM Hassan issued the rule following a report broadcast by private television Channel 24 on December 9, which said there was little progress in lower court trial proceedings of the criminal cases against the seven.

Russel of Kushtia is in jail since 2004 in an arms case, Masud of the capital's Motijheel since 2003, Liton of Netrakona since 2005, and Babu of Joydebpur and Parvez of Brahmanbaria since 2003 and 2004 respectively in cases filed under women and children repression prevention law.

Rajib of Keraniganj is in jail since 2003 in a murder case and Saidur of Badda since 2005 in a case filed under women and children repression prevention law.

Supreme Court Legal Aid Committee's panel lawyer Beheshti Marjan placed the report before the HC.