HC ruling for man jailed 13yrs after acquittal

The High Court today issued a ruling seeking explanation as to why a farmer of Satkhira will not be compensated for suffering jail for 13 years after acquittal.

Zobed Ali Biswas, who was first jailed for life for poisoning his daughter, was later acquitted. But the acquittal order was not sent to the district jail for his release.

The High Court gave the government four weeks to explain why the negligence would not be declared unconstitutional and the victim be compensated with Tk 20 lakh.

The bench of Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury and Justice Md Iqbal Kabir came up with the rule following a writ petition filed by Children Charity Bangladesh Foundation, a rights group.

Satkhira’s Additional Judges Court-3, in 2001, jailed Zobed for life for poisoning his eight-year-old daughter Lily in 1994, petitioner’s lawyer Abdul Alim told The Daily Star.

The High Court, following an appeal, acquitted him in 2003.

The superior court’s verdict was forwarded to the local court. However, the Satkhira court said to have ordered the officials concerned to keep the judgement in record and did not send it to the jail.

Zobed Ali was released from prison on March 2 this year.