After spending more than three decades behind bars, 60-year-old Kanu Mia walked out of Habiganj District Jail on Tuesday morning.
What sets his case apart is not just the length of his incarceration, but the fact that he spent over 30 years in jail without a full trial-while being mentally ill.
He had been imprisoned since April 25, 1995, on charges of killing his mother.
Kanu, son of the late Chini Mia, was freed from the Habiganj district jail around 11:00 am on Tuesday following a court order.
According to the sources, a mentally ill Kanu Mia attacked his mother, Mejester Bibi with a sharp weapon when she was asleep around 2:00pm on April 25, 1995.
Local people caught him and handed him over to the police.
His brother, Monu Mia, filed a murder case with Lakhai police station.
After investigation, the police submitted the charge sheet on March 23, 1996.
Monir Hossain Chowdhury, jailer of Habiganj District Jail, said Kanu Mia had received treatment over the years at Habiganj and Sylhet prisons and at the Pabna Mental Hospital.
He remained mentally unstable throughout his imprisonment, including during his time at Habiganj District Jail.
Authorities had repeatedly informed higher officials about his condition.
Public prosecutor Md Abdul Hai confirmed that the case had been stayed by an order of the High Court, according to what he had learned.
Habiganj district legal aid officer and senior assistant judge Muhammad Abbas Uddin took notice of the matter and appointed a lawyer to provide legal assistance to Kanu Mia on July 9.
District and Sessions Judge Jesmin Ara Begum on Monday granted bail to Kanu Mia when his lawyer filed a petition seeking his bail.