SC upholds acquittal of 11

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court (SC) today upheld a High Court order that acquitted 11 persons, who were convicted by the trial court in sensational Ahsanullah Master murder case, reports the BSS.

 

The apex court upheld the high court order as it passed "no order" after hearing the state appeal for staying the High Court order.

 

A four-member Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha passed the order this morning.

 

Earlier on June 21, the Chamber Judge court of the Appellate Division initially stayed the High Court order July 14. The stay order was later extended till today.

 

On June 15, the High Court acting on the death references and appeals filed by the convicts in the case, upheld death for six convicts, sentenced eight to life imprisonment and acquitted 11 from the charges.

 

The 11 acquitted are- Amir Hossain, Jahangir alias Boro Jahangir, Faysal, Lokman Hossain alias Bulu, Roni Miah alias Roni Fokir, Khokon, Dulal Miah, Rakib Uddin Sarker alias Pappu, Ayub Ali,Jahangir and Monir.

 

Ahsanullah Master, a veteran freedom fighter, labour leader and teacher, was brutally murdered in broad daylight by a group of terrorists patronized by the then four-party alliance government on May 7, 2004. His brother Motiur Rahman filed a case with Tongi Police Station the next day against 17 people and another 10/12 unidentified miscreants over the murder.

 

A speedy trial tribunal on April 16, 2005, sentenced 22 people to death and another six to life imprisonment. The convicts later filed appeals with the High Court seeking acquittal.