For nearly 30 years, Kanu Mia languished in prison—without trial or verdict—after being arrested for allegedly killing his mother in a mentally unstable state.

Kanu Mia was arrested on charges of killing his own mother while suffering from severe mental illness. What followed was an unimaginable ordeal—three decades behind bars without any court verdict or sentence.

Although the trial proceedings were officially suspended two decades ago, he was never freed. 

It was only after the matter came to the attention of the District Legal Aid Officer that legal efforts finally began. 

Acting on the court’s directive, Kanu Mia’s long 30-year captivity came to an end. On Tuesday (July 15) afternoon, he walked out of Habiganj District Jail.

Kanu Mia is now 50 years old. His home is in Singhgram village of Lakhai upazila, Habiganj. His father, Chini Mia, is no more.

A visit to Kanu Mia’s home revealed a small tin-roofed dwelling on only four decimals of land. Three of his brothers, with their families, live there, cramped together in hardship. Kanu Mia sat quietly in the yard while his niece, Josna Begum, fanned him. Neighbours gathered around, talking to the relative they thought they had lost forever.

Kanu Mia was the sixth among seven siblings born to two mothers. Because of poverty, the family could never afford psychiatric treatment for him. Even now, he often speaks incoherently. The family says he needs medical care, but they simply do not have the means.

His elder brother, Nosu Mia, said, “Kanu used to work in Dhaka when he was about 25. He fell sick with fever and later developed mental problems. He had to leave his job and come home. On 25 May 1995, he suddenly entered the house and struck our mother’s neck with a spade. She died on the way to the hospital. The police arrested him. We did not file any case ourselves—the police did. He was first kept in Sylhet Jail and later moved to Habiganj Jail.

Ten years after he was jailed, a released inmate told us Kanu was still alive. Twenty years later, we managed to see him once.”

He added, “Now we all look after Kanu together. He is our brother—how could we abandon him? But we need help with his treatment. At night he sleeps next to me, but I feel afraid.”

“We are taking care of him as best we can. He is our brother. We cannot cast him away. But we need support for his treatment. He sleeps beside me at night, and honestly, I feel scared.”

Banglanews tried repeatedly to hear from Kanu Mia about his 30-year imprisonment. He was largely unresponsive, but at one point he spoke up on his own:

“I feel good. I feel like I came back from America, so I feel good.”

He then uttered some disjointed words. He also said he still remembers his mother’s face.

His niece, Josna Begum, appealed to everyone for assistance with his medical care.

Local human rights activist Bahar Uddin, district vice-president of Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (SUJAN), said, “I had no idea someone in our village had been in jail for 30 years without trial. Even if he had been tried, he might have completed any sentence by now. But that never happened. This is an extreme violation of human rights. The family was helpless, and the authorities were negligent. Now it is our duty to ensure he gets treatment.”

Nazrul Islam, a businessman from Habiganj town who came to visit Kanu, said:

“I came after hearing the news. Thirty years in prison without trial—just thinking about it is painful. He urgently needs treatment.”

Neighbour Idris Mia said, “I had heard uncle went to jail for killing his mother. Later, we forgot about him. Now he has returned, but his behaviour is abnormal. The family is suffering.”

Md Mujibur Rahman, the Jail Superintendent of Habiganj District Jail, said: “Kanu Mia was kept separately. He was treated at Sylhet and Pabna mental hospitals. If he refused to eat, inmate caregivers would gently persuade him. We cut his hair and nails, bathed him—everything. On 8 July, during a legal aid meeting, the issue of ‘mentally ill prisoners’ came up, and Kanu Mia’s name was mentioned. An officer took a keen interest and took the initiative. Ultimately, he was freed on bail. In my 27 years of service, this has been the most personally fulfilling moment.”

Advocate MA Majid, a panel lawyer with Legal Aid, said, “For mentally ill persons, trials remain suspended. The higher court was aware of this matter. But in the absence of his family in court, Kanu Mia spent year after year in jail. Finally, Legal Aid intervened and secured his release.”

Notably, Kanu Mia has no national identity card or birth certificate. Locals are demanding that he be issued identification documents and receive government allowances, as well as state support and humanitarian assistance.

MSK/