HC seeks info on death-row convicts, condemned cells
The High Court yesterday sought detailed information about death-row convicts and condemned cells in prisons across the country.
The court asked Attorney General AM Amin Uddin to communicate with the inspector general of prisons to provide information on how many death-row convicts are currently in condemned cells, the number of those cells and the facilities provided there on October 31.
The HC bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman passed the order during hearing of a writ petition, challenging the legality of keeping death-row convicts in condemned cells before their cases are finally disposed of by the Appellate Division.
The bench fixed October 31 for further hearing and passing order on the matter.
During the hearing, petitioners' lawyer Mohammad Shishir Manir told the court that a long period is required for final disposal of a case. Death-row convicts are sent to solitary confinement in condemned cells immediately after a trial court gives the death sentence, and are kept there till final disposal, which is illegal and inhumane.
Attorney General AM Amin Uddin opposed the petition, saying that death-row convicts are kept in condemned cells to ensure their security.
Facilities in condemned cells have improved, he argued.
Three death-row convicts, including Zillur Rahman, filed the petition with the HC in September. They urged the HC to order prison authorities to transfer them to normal cells.
Around 2,055 death-row convicts are currently in condemned cells, Shishir Manir told The Daily Star.
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