Eight Bawm women from Bandarban remain imprisoned without trial for 667 days following mass arrests after a bank robbery incident in April 2024. A total of 30 women and children were detained. Each of the women faces four cases under the Special Powers Act and the Anti-Terrorism Act. Nearly two years later, no charge sheets have been filed, and lawyers say there has been no progress in investigations while bail efforts continue to face barriers.
Sisters Laltlanh Kim Bawm and Partha Joal Bawm have had their bail petitions rejected 16 times across the High Court, Sessions Judge Court, and Chief Judicial Magistrate Court. Tina Bawm and Melory Bawm have faced 11 rejections in the same courts. A High Court bench granted bail in May 2025, but the state appealed and the order was stayed on July 3, 2025. Subsequent attempts to reapply in lower courts and the High Court were delayed, including instances where benches declined to hear the cases.
Lal Rin Tlowang Bawm also secured bail in higher court proceedings, but those orders were stayed following a state appeal in June 2025. His appeal reportedly remained unheard for months before being marked non-prosecuted, requiring the process to restart. Nem Pen Bawm obtained bail in multiple cases, though state appeals led to stays in some instances and further hearings in others.
Akim Bawm, arrested at age 14 years and 10 months, was initially held in an adult jail in Bandarban. In December 2025, a Children’s Court recognized him as a minor and ordered his transfer to the Gazipur Children’s Development Center but denied bail. His legal team has filed further applications, which remain pending.
Lawyers and family members say the detainees’ bail applications have circulated among multiple courts without resolution, while the women remain in custody awaiting trial.
Source: Bawm Lives Matter
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