Staff Reporter :
The High Court has issued eight directives upon the authorities concerned of the government to ensure security, peace and decorum in and outside the jails.
The HC also directed the authorities concerned to prevent the supply of narcotics in prisons across the country and to stop forgery in submission of “vakalatnama” (document for engaging lawyers to plead for accused) to the courts.
The HC bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice Ahmed Sohel came up with the directives in a full text of its verdict which was released today.
“The jail authorities shall always be alert and vigilant to keep peace and security in and around the jail premises and shall take appropriate legal steps to avert all kinds of unwanted and unbecoming situation, environment and conduct and misbehaviours,” the HC bench said.
On October 19 this year, the HC bench delivered a short verdict on this issue. On that day, the HC bench directed Md Mizanur Rahman Kanak, an accused of a corruption case, to surrender to the lower court concerned in four weeks after receiving the verdict.
During hearing on the bail petition of Kanak, the HC earlier found that the deputy jailor of Keraniganj Jail Md Khandaker Al Mamun has approved the vakalatnama for Kanak to seek bail in the case although he went out of the jail on bail granted by a virtual HC bench on June 15 this year. He got released from jail on June 25.
Deputy Jailor Khandaker Al Mamun appeared before the HC bench on October 11 following its summons order and apologised to the court for approving the vakalatnama for the accused to seek bail again from the HC although he was not in jail.
Khandaker Al Mamun said he wrongly approved the vakalatnama for Kanak without putting any signature and seal on it, Anti-Corruption Commission’s lawyer Khurshid Alam Khan told media on Sunday
He said Kanak will have to surrender to the lower court in four weeks in connection with the corruption case following the HC verdict.
The HC has pardoned Deputy Jailor Khandaker Al Mamun with the caution and directives.
“The jail authorities are directed to strictly carry out the search on the body and apparel of the visitors and if any narcotics, drugs and contraband items are found from their possession, in that case, the jail authorities shall take necessary and appropriate legal action against that person”, the HC said.
The HC also directed the authorities concerned to strictly comply with the provisions of the Prisons Act, 1894, the Prisoners Act 1900 and Bangladesh Jail Code (Revised Edition), 2006 along with other laws relating to prisoners.
At the same time, the HC ordered the authorities concerned of jails to submit an affidavit of compliance of these directives after every three months to the office of the Supreme Court registrar general.
