HC seeks explanation on presidential pardons over past 33 years
The cabinet secretary, the home secretary, and the secretary of the Public Division of the President’s Office have been asked to respond to the rule within four weeks
The High Court has issued a rule asking why directives should not be given to publish a list detailing how many individuals have been pardoned by successive presidents over the past 33 years.
The cabinet secretary, the home secretary, and the secretary of the Public Division of the President's Office have been asked to respond to the rule within four weeks.
The bench of Justice Kazi Zinat Hoque and Justice Ainun Nahar Siddiqua issued the rule today (21 April) after hearing a writ petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Omar Faruque, who also appeared in court for the petitioner.
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Earlier, on 25 August last year, Barrister Faruque had served a legal notice to the three secretaries, requesting a list of individuals whose prison sentences had been suspended or pardoned by the president from 1991 to 31 July 2024, under Article 49 of the Constitution.
The notice also sought details on the process, grounds, and recommendations—if any—based on which the pardons were granted.
It stated that people have a right to know how and why presidential pardons are granted, particularly in cases involving individuals convicted of serious crimes such as murder.
The notice mentioned that several individuals who had been convicted and sentenced to death or life imprisonment were later pardoned and released, with some reportedly becoming involved in criminal activities again.
As no response was received to the legal notice, the writ petition was subsequently filed with the High Court.
