HC declares detention of Patal illegal

The High Court (HC) yesterday declared illegal the detention of former state minister for Youth and Sports Fazlur Rahman Patal.
A two-member bench, headed by Justice Shah Abu Nayeem Mominur Rahman, delivered the judgment upon a habeas corpus petition filed by Patal's younger brother Harun-or-Rashid.
The court also ordered release of Patal "forthwith", if he is not wanted by police in any other criminal case.
Despite the High Court order, the central BNP leader from Natore won't get released from jail as he has been implicated in another criminal case, said his counsel Barrister Mahbubuddin Khokon.
The former minister was arrested on May 29 and sent to jail with a 30-day detention under the Special Powers Act. Later, the order of detention was extended by 90 more days.