Limon Hossain, shot and maimed by Rapid Action Battalion, was granted six months' bail by the High Court yesterday in an arms case filed by the elite force.
The court also directed the government to arrange better treatment for him in a reputed hospital of his choice, and to bear the cost.
An HC bench of Justice Nozrul Islam Chowdhury and Justice Md Anwarul Haque issued a rule upon the government as well to explain within two weeks why it should not be directed to form an inquiry commission to find out the facts behind the maiming of Limon.
The bench in the rule also asked the government to explain why Limon should not be granted regular bail in the case filed with Rajapur Police Station in Jhalakathi.
The rule and the order came in response to a bail petition filed, as public interest litigation, by Ain O Salish Kendra, a human rights organisation.
The organisation's Executive Director Advocate Sultana Kamal filed the petition yesterday.
Petitioner's counsel Dr Shahdeen Malik told The Daily Star that there is no bar on releasing Limon from police custody now, following the HC order.
He said the government should immediately form a commission headed by a retired judge to investigate the incident.
National Human Rights Commission Chairman Mizanur Rahman, who was present in the court, expressed satisfaction over the HC order, saying Limon has the right to get bail.
The state is constitutionally duty-bound to ensure security of every citizen, he said, adding that everybody should be conscious about duty.
Limon, who had been undergoing treatment in Orthopaedic Hospital in the capital, was sent to Jhalakathi jail on Tuesday.
He was then shifted to Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital under police custody on Wednesday.
A team of Rab-8, led by Deputy Assistant Director Lutfor Rahman, shot Limon in the left leg while he was fetching his family's pet calf from a field near their house in Chhaturia village of Jhalakathi on March 23.
The same day, DAD Lutfor Rahman filed two cases against Limon and several others with Rajapur Police Station on charges of possessing arms and ammunition, obstructing law enforcers from discharging their duties, and attempted murder.
Later, Limon's wounded leg had to be amputated.
Limon's mother filed a case against six Rab men on April 11. Rajapur police initially refused to take the case even after a court order. They, however, recorded the case on April 26 following a 48-hour deadline by a Jhalakathi court to take the case.
Advocate ZI Khan Panna, and Advocate Idrisur Rahman were also present for the petitioner in the court yesterday.
WAITING TO BE FREED
Our correspondent from Barisal reported that Limon, now in a prison cell of Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital in Barisal, is counting moments for his release.
"Limon and us are now counting moments for his release, although our advocate and the officials told us that we have to wait till Sunday to receive the official order and for its execution", Tofazzal Hossain, Limon's father, told The Daily Star in the hospital yesterday afternoon.
The victim's mother Henoara Begum appealed for a fair and speedy investigation of the case lodged by her against the six Rab personnel, and demanded withdrawal of alleged false cases against Limon.
"The government should bear the medical expenses, compensate and rehabilitate my son, and give him a government job as his dreams have been shattered following the incident," Henoara said.
News Source: The Daily Star (May 6, 2011)