On 21 April 2020, the High Court Tulsipur, Neplagunj Bench has ordered to release 9 prisoners from Nepalgunj Prison. The Court order states, “On behalf of applicants Prajun Giri et. al. against the District Court Banke including others on the habeas corpus writ (076-WH-0007), after studying the habeas corpus writ application, written response included in the case file and copies of court decisions presented by the applicants, based on the decision of the Supreme Court made on 20 March 2020 [2076/12/07] and the subsequent decision made by the full bench of the Supreme Court (press statement) at this critical situation of pandemic, the order for habeas corpus is issued as per the applicants’ request.” The order further writes, “Release all the applicants after they pay monetary fine as per the law for their remaining jail term.”
The writ was filed after the District Court Banke refused to release 9 out of 11 prisoners of Nepalgunj Prison who had applied to be released as per the decision of the Supreme Court. On 20 March 2020, the full bench of the Supreme Court had ordered to release the prisoners who are convicted for the first time and serving up to 1 year of imprisonment upon payment of legal charges.
Eleven lawyers along with representatives from Advocacy Forum-Nepal had registered a writ of habeas corpus against Banke District Court and Prison Office Banke.
For more information: Writ of Habeus Corpus registered against Banke District Court
