Rigorous sentence for child: HC seeks explanation from Jashore tribunal judge
The law does not suggest rigorous imprisonment for children
The High Court has sought a written explanation from a tribunal judge that sentenced a child rigorous imprisonment in a case under the Explosives Substances Act.
At the same time, the court granted bail to the child for one year at its own initiative.
A virtual High Court bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman passed the order on Wednesday.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
The order was issued after the matter came to light during the hearing of the admissibility of the jail appeal filed against the sentence.
The High Court accepted the jail appeal for a hearing and granted bail to the child for one year.
Judge Mahmuda Khatun of the Women and Child Repression Prevention Tribunal 2 has been asked to explain the matter within four weeks.
According to the High Court sources, the charges against the child of a village in Bagerhat were proved in a court of law under sections 4 and 5 of the Explosive Substances Act 1908.
Judge Mahmuda Khatun sentenced the child to three years of rigorous imprisonment under section 4 (b) and two years of rigorous imprisonment under section 5 of the act.
The child filed a prison appeal last year against the verdict, which went up for hearing.
Deputy Attorney General Md Sarwar Hossain told reporters that during the hearing of the acceptance of jail appeal, it was found that the appellant was a child.
The law does not suggest any rigorous imprisonment for children.
When the matter came to light, the High Court directed Judge Mahmuda Khatun to give a written explanation on the matter.
