HC refuses to intervene regarding Covid-19 situation in jails

The High Court today refused to pass any order on a writ petition that sought its directives on the government to take necessary steps to protect prisoners in jails and prison staff from Covid-19.

The HC bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim said it will not interfere with the matter regarding inmates in jails and prison staff over coronavirus as no urgent situation prevails there.

The bench passed "no order" during a virtual hearing on the petition after Attorney General Mahbubey Alam opposed it, saying situation in jails is good as many accused have been released on bail granted by the courts concerned recently.

There is no urgency for passing any order on the petition, he argued.         

During hearing on the same writ petition, the HC bench on June 2 asked the attorney general's office to collect information on the situation of prisoners and prisons staff across the country following the pandemic.

Advocate Shishir Manir submitted the petition on May 17 as a public interest litigation to the High Court requesting it to order the authorities to take measures to maintain social distancing among the prisoners and prison staff and other health guidelines.

The lawyer in the petition said there are reportedly around 74,000 prisoners in 68 prisons throughout the country where the accommodation capacity is for 41,244 prisoners.

Twenty-three prison guards and two prisoners have tested positive for coronavirus and a prisoner in Sylhet Central Jail died with coronavirus infection, the petitioner said in the petition.