Dhaka: Underscoring the need for releasing those now in jail for no crime, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said the victims can also ask for compensation from the authorities concerned.

Replying to a tabled question from Jatiya Party MP Nurul Islam Milon (Comilla-8) during the PM's question-answer session in Parliament, she also said if anyone wants to seek compensation from the state, there are provisions in the laws.

The Leader of the House said she came to know about huge persons imprisoned for no crime while she was in jail.

The Army-backed caretaker government arrested Sheikh Hasina in 2007 and she was released on June 11, 2008.

The Prime Minister said some NGOs and government legal aid-providing agencies have taken steps to get these detained persons released from jail. "This process is on," she added.

Responding to another query from ruling party MP M Ayeen Uddin (Rajshahi-3), Hasina expressed her hope that the present Election Commission will take every steps to hold fair, neutral and credible elections in the future as per their constitutional responsibilities.