BLAST, in cooperation with the Prison Authorities and the German Technical Corporation (GTZ), is currently providing services through paralegals working in one district, Bogra, to expedite the release of prisoners, particularly women, children, and vulnerable persons. 

BLAST has intervened in the lower courts to secure the release of women and children placed in jail in “safe custody”, under Section 31 of the Nari-o-Shishu Nirjatan Daman Ain, 2000 (the Suppression of Violence against Women and Children Act), and has also challenged the practice of safe custody in a writ petition before the High Court.

BLAST intervened in a case before the High Court, seeking the release and repatriation of Bangladesh adults and children detained in jails in West Bengal, India, despite the expiration of their sentences. BLAST also works with its counterparts in neighboring countries, such as the Legal Aid Society of West Bengal (LASWEB) to ensure that Bangladeshi prisoners in West Bengal, India, and Indian prisoners in Bangladesh receive legal aid.

Judgments:

  • Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust vs. Bangladesh and others [Child Detention under SPA Case] Writ Petition No. 4191 of 1998
    4 BLC (1999) 600
    Full Text
    Summary

Disposed:

  • Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust vs. Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs and others [Safe Custody Case] Writ Petition No. 1157 of 1997
    Summary

Pending:

  • BLAST and others vs. Bangladesh and others [Rickshaw Pullers’ Arrest Case] Writ Petition No. 6767 of 2001
    Summary
  • BLAST vs. Bangladesh and others [Foreign Prisoners in Dhaka Jail Case] Writ Petition No. 6353 of 2003
    Summary
  • BLAST and ASK vs. Bangladesh and others [Children in Fetters Case] Writ Petition No. 1676 of 2003
    Summary
  • Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust vs. Bangladesh and others [Indian Prisoners Case] Writ Petition No. 224 of 2004
    Summary
  • ASK, BLAST and others vs. Bangladesh and others [Mass Arrest Case] Writ Petition No. 2192 of 2004
    Summary
  • Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust vs. Bangladesh and others [Burmese Prisoners Case] Writ Petition No. 10628 of 2006
    Summary
  • ASK and BLAST vs. Bangladesh and others [Juveniles in Jail Case] Writ Petition No. 6373 of 2007
    Summary
  • Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust vs. Bangladesh [Bangladeshi Prisoners in India Case] Writ Petition No. 1715 of 2010
    Summary

Case Study

  • PRISONERS RELEASED

In 2017, a total number of 3,170 prisoners (3,045 men, 122 women, and three children) were released through paralegal interventions under BLAST’s IRSOP project.