Over 1 lakh under-trial prisoners released on bail in two phases

A total of 1,01,520 under-trial prisoners, including 1,257 minors, were released from jail after securing bail from virtual courts across the country in two phases over 75 working days.

The first phase of virtual court proceedings started on May 11 last year and continued till August 4 last year, and the second phase started on April 12 this year due to the ongoing second wave of Covid-19. 

Supreme Court spokesman Md Saifur Rahman said in a statement today that the subordinate courts have disposed of bail petitions in connection with 3,087 criminal cases and granted bail to 1,447 people yesterday.

In another statement, Saifur Rahman yesterday said the subordinate courts have disposed of bail petitions in 1,99,221 criminal cases through virtually hearing and granted bail to 1,00,073 under trial prisoners in two phases till May 4 this year.

The regular activities of courts across the country, including the Appellate and High Court Divisions of the Supreme Court, remain suspended due to the ongoing rapid surge of Covid-19.                  

Earlier, Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain issued some directives to the courts regarding virtual court conduct in urgent cases during the suspension.