HC orders release of minor boys, girls from prison

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The High Court on Monday in a suo moto ruling asked the government to release children held in jails in the name of safe custody, reports UNB.
A division bench headed by Justice Imaan Ali passed the orders taking notices of cases of among others a girl aged ten held in the name of safe custody in prison and if boys aged as young as ten- thirteen and 15 in one case following arrest under section 54 (on suspicion) of the CrPC.
The court declared the holding of children in jails to be wholly illegal and observed that concerned judges should consider releasing them on bail as appropriate or placing them in remand home or safe homes or any other place of safety.
The court said it is the responsibility of the ministry of social welfare to take such measures.
It court also noted that there are very few safe homes for girls and there are no safe homes available for boys across the country.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Legal And Services Trust (BLAST) welcomed the High Court ruling, saying the court’s clear affirmation that jails can under no circumstances be held to be a place of safety.