In an extraordinary order, a special tribunal in Sunamganj has relieved 70 children of court appearances and asked their parents to keep them under observation for the next one year under certain conditions.
Sunamganj Women and Children Abuse Repression Prevention Tribunal Judge Zakir Hossain issued the order on Wednesday.
The children, aged between 12 and 18, were accused in at least 50 cases filed against them in the last four to five years over their alleged involvement in different crimes.
The court placed six conditions, considering the future of the children.
During the one-year probation period at home, instead of at the correctional centre, the court said the children must not engage in any crimes in the future and do at least two good things and write them down in a diary every day.
They will follow the directions of their guardians and parents, take care of them and assist them.
The children have also been asked to recite religious scriptures regularly and perform religious activities while staying away from bad company and drugs.
They were welcomed with flowers in the courtroom after the verdict was announced.
Public Prosecutor Nantu Roy, Additional Public Prosecutor Hassan Mahbub Sadi and District Probation Officer Mohammad Shafiur Rahman were also present during the proceedings.
Under the order, the district probation officer will submit quarterly status reports to the court regarding the implementation of the conditions.
One of the children from Habiganj said that he had visited his uncle's house in Monoa village of Shalla upazila of Sunamganj in 2019.
During that time, when a quarrel ensued between his uncle and his uncle’s neighbours, he was made an accused in the case.
He also said as a result of this landmark verdict, he would be able to stay with his parents instead of appearing in court.