Dhaka: The High Court today directed the authorities concerned to submit a list of courts across the country that still have iron cages within the next four weeks. A division bench of the High Court comprising Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Debasish Roy Chowdhury passed the order, emphasizing that such installations are not supported by any law in a civilized society as they violate human rights.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Advocate Mohammad Shishir Monir argued for the petitioner in court, while Deputy Attorney General Md. Tanmi Khan represented the state. The state informed the High Court that iron cages have already been removed from some courts. The petition for the removal of iron cages in lower courtrooms was filed by ten Supreme Court lawyers: GM Mujahidur Rahman, Mohammad Noab Ali, Saddam Hossain, Abdullah Sadik, Mizanul Haque, Mujahidul Islam, Mesbah Uddin, Md. Jobaidul Islam, Azim Uddin Patwari, and Sajjad Sarwar.
After hearing the petition, the High Court issued a rule directing the authorities to submit the list of courtrooms with iron cages across the country. The court also asked for an explanation as to why an order should not be announced to reinstate an accused box instead of an iron cage. Furthermore, the rule questioned why the installation of iron cages should not conflict with Articles 31, 32, and 35 of the Constitution.