DHAKA: There are only 10 physicians against 141 posts for the total 68 prisons across the country and 86,998 prisoners are in the prisons against capacity of accommodating 40,664 till August 27, 2019.
Directorate of Prisons on Tuesday (Nov 5) submitted a report to the High Court in this regard.
After hearing, the HC bench of Justice FRM Nazmul Ahsan and Justice KM Kamrul Kader set November 11 for issuance of next order.
Barrister AM Mahbubuddin Khokon and lawyer Md. JR Khan Robin moved for the writ petition. Shammi Akter assisted them while Deputy Attorney General ABM Abdullah Al Mahmud Bashar argued for the state.
Lawyer Md JR Khan Robin said, Earlier on June 23, the court issued a rule in all jails across the country seeking the capability, number of prisoners and doctors and the list of vacant posts for doctors.
According to the directive, Deputy Jailer Mominul Islam, on behalf of Inspector General of Prisons Brigadier General AKM Mostafa Kamal, submitted the report today.
The government has appointed total 20 doctors on deputation for the jails last year. But among them, only four have joined, the IG prisons said in the report.
The court asked the deputy attorney general to inform this court next Monday why the 16 doctors, out of 20, have not joined the post.
Earlier on February 19, a writ petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer Advocate Md JR Khan Robin this year seeking necessary order for the recruitment of physicians.
BDST: 1455 HRS, NOV 5, 2019
RS/SMS
