The High Court (HC) yesterday declared illegal the detention of former health minister and BNP leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain.
A division bench comprising Justice Mirza Hussain Haider and Justice Mamnoon Rahman delivered the judgement on completion of hearing from both sides on its rule issued earlier.
The court in its verdict also asked the government to release Mosharraf if he is not arrested in any other criminal cases.
Following a writ petition challenging the detention order, The High Court issued the rule on the government last year, asking it to explain why detention order of Mosharraf shall not be declared illegal.
The joint forces arrested Mosharraf on March 7 last year. He was given detention under the Special Powers Act on March 11.
Despite the High Court orders, Mosharraf will remain in prison as he is facing two criminal cases, his counsel said.