Gazipur: Innocent Jahalam, who was in jail for the last three years instead of the real accused in 33 corruption cases, was released from jail early Monday following a High Court order.

He walked out from Kashimpur prison-2 at abput 1:00am.

Jail Superintendent Subrata Kumar Bala said his release papers reached the jail on Sunday night. After scrutinising the papers and completing the formalities, Jahalam was set free.

His family members, including his brother Shananur Miah, received him outside the jail.

In an immediate reaction after his release, Jahalam said, ‘Following a mistake of the Anti-Corruption Commission, he was in jail for three years without any trial.’

He demanded punishment of those who were responsible behind the incident.’

His brother Sahanur also demanded punishment of those who are responsible it and compensation for Jahalam.

Earlier, the High Court bench of Justice FRM Nazmul Ahasan and Justice KM Kamrul Kader on Sunday ordered Deputy Inspector General DIG) of Prisons to immediately release innocent Jahalam who was in jail for the last three years instead of the real accused in 33 corruption cases.

The High Court passed the suo moto order following a newspaper report under a headline ‘Wrong accused in jail in 33 cases: Sir I am Jahlam, not Salek.’

Supreme Court lawyer Amit Das Gupta placed the news report before the court.

The report said Jahalam, a jute mill worker, has been serving in jail in place of real accused Abu Salek in 33 cases of embezzling Tk 18 crore from Sonali Bank.

Jahalam who was in jail for the last three years instead of the real accused in 33 corruption cases was released after the High Court on Sunday ordered Deputy Inspector General DIG) of Prisons to immediately release the innocent man.

The High Court bench of Justice FRM Nazmul Ahasan and Justice KM Kamrul Kader passed the order while hearing a rule filed over the legality of Jaha Alam’s jailing.

The court passed the order after the director general of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), plaintiff of the cases and two other government officials appeared before it.

The court also fixed February 6 for further hearing on a rule.

A bench of Justice FRM Nazmul Ahasan and Justice KM Kamrul Kader passed the suo moto order following a newspaper report under a headline ‘Wrong accused in jail in 33 cases: Sir I am Jahlam, not Salek.’

Supreme Court lawyer Amit Das Gupta placed the news report before the High Court.

The report said Jahlam, a jute mill worker, has been serving in jail in place of real accused Abu Salek in 33 cases of embezzling Tk 18 crore from Sonali Bank.