HC releases first time drug offender on probation

The High Court (HC) in an order first of its kind in the country, on Sunday released a first time drug offender, who was initially sentenced to five-year imprisonment, on probation.

“Application for probation is allowed,” said the order passed by the High Court bench of justice Zafar Ahmed, discharging a revision plea of the accused.

According to the order, the accused, Moti Matbor of Shariatpur will live in his home under the supervision of a probation officer for the next one and a half years with the conditions of taking care of his 75-year-old mother, continuing study of his children and not to arrange early marriage for his daughter.

“It was a groundbreaking judgment in the history of the country’s judiciary. The accused will live in probation under the Department of Social Services and have to follow the three conditions,” defence counsel lawyer Mohammad Shishir Munir said.

Dhaka district probation officer Azizur Rahman Masud was present during the order and the accused was given under his custody immediately. The court also said the probation of the accused will be cancelled if he breaks any of the conditions set by the court.

The accused was sentenced to five-year imprisonment and fined Tk 20,000 on 8 January 2017, in a case lodged over recovery of yaba tablets. Moti spent 20-month behind bars after getting arrested on 23 November 2015.

The High Court on 9 July 2017, granted him bail. The accused on 1 July 2017, filed the revision case.