Judge demands law to compensate prisoners without trial

A High Court judge has called for enacting specific law to recompense and rehabilitate the prisoners who remain behind the bars for a prolonged period without trial due to the delay in judicial system.

Chairman of the Supreme Court Legal Aid Committee Justice M. Enayetur Rahim made the observation at ‘meet the press’ programme at the SC conference room on Tuesday.

He drew government attention regarding the matter and urged the media to play a role in putting pressure on the authorities.

“These people are detached from their family and the society for a long time. They get released with the help of legal aid but fail to cope with life as they do not have any money,” he said.

“Those victims should be rehabilitated, and the government should take the initiative,” he demanded.

“The court can pass an order regarding the matter but specific law is needed for that,” he said adding “media can play a big role in this regard.”

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in her speech in Parliament on Mar 8 stated that the prisoners without trial could demand compensation.

She said that “those who are wrongfully detained and remained in prison without trial can demand reparation to the authority concern. There are rules to demand compensation to the state.”

Justice Rahim said that since the launch of the Legal Aid Committee in September 2015, legal supports have been provided to 555 cases, of which 298 cases have been resolved.

Moreover, verbal consultations were provided to some 1,232 people.

According to the office of the inspector general of prisons, a total of 462 people are in prison without trial between five and ten years, and the Committee managed to secure release of 18 of them. They are now working on rest of the 404 people.