SC orders no release of Chankharpul convicts until appeal disposal
The order was passed by Appellate Division Chamber Judge Justice Md Rezaul Haque, who directed: “Stay so far observation and direction.”
The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court today (1 February) ordered the authorities concerned not to release five convicts sentenced to varying jail terms in connection with a crimes against humanity case over the killing of six protesters in Chankharpul on August 5, 2024.
The order will remain in force until the disposal of an appeal filed by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) prosecution seeking enhancement of the punishment awarded to the convicts.
The apex court also stayed an observation of ICT-1 regarding former police constable Md Sujon Miah.
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"Stay so far observation and direction," said the order passed by Appellate Division Chamber Judge Justice Md Rezaul Haque.
The prosecution on Thursday (29 January) sought a stay on the tribunal's observation, describing the sentences awarded to some convicts in the Chankharpul crimes against humanity case as lenient.
Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam made the plea during the hearing of the appeal at the Appellate Division Chamber Judge's Court.
Earlier, on January 26, International Crimes Tribunal-1 convicted and sentenced three people, including former Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) commissioner Habibur Rahman, to death in the case.
The other two condemned convicts are former DMP joint commissioner Sudip Kumar Chakraborty and former additional deputy commissioner Shah Alam Mohammad Akhtarul Islam.
The tribunal also ordered the confiscation of the properties of the three condemned convicts. All three, along with another convict, are still at large.
The ICT-1 sentenced former assistant commissioner of DMP's Ramna Zone Mohammad Imrul, to six years' imprisonment. Imrul was tried in absentia and remains absconding.
It further sentenced former inspector Md Arshad Hossain to four years' imprisonment, and former constables Md Sujon Miah, Imaj Hossain Emon, and Nasirul Islam to three years' imprisonment each.
Following the verdict, the prosecution expressed dissatisfaction and announced that it would challenge the sentences before the Appellate Division.
