Staff Reporter :
The High Court on Monday acquitted three people, who were sentenced to death by a trial court concerned in a case filed over abducting and killing a six-year old in Cox’s Bazar in 2013.
The HC acquitted Abdul Khaleque, Bahadur Miah and Abdus Shukkur of the charges, as allegations brought against them were not proven.
The HC bench of Justice Krishna Debnath and Justice ASM Abdul Mobin delivered the verdict after hearing the
appeals filed by accused Khaleque and Bahadur, death reference (lower court record) of the case and examining relevant documents and evidence.
Khaleque and Bahadur are now in the jail while Shukkur is on the run, Mohammad Shishir Manir, a defence lawyer for Khaleque and Bahadur, told the media.
He said the HC bench acquitted the three accused as it was proven that Khaleque and Bahadur were tortured and forced to give confessional statements to the magistrate concerned.
Their confessional statements were recorded at the magistrate’s room at the same time in violation of the relevant provisions of law, he said, adding that there were inconsistencies in the confessional statements.
Shishir Manir said there is no other evidence and documents in the case to prove the allegations against the three accused who were sentenced to death by the lower court concerned.
The lawyer said he prayed to the HC to order the government to conduct further investigation into the case in order to find out the real kidnappers and killers of Hridoy.
The HC may issue necessary directives to this effect in its full text of the verdict, he said.
Six year old MdHridoy, a student of nursery class, and son of Nurul Haque of Uttar Nunirchara area in Cox’s Bazar, was abducted while he was returning home from school on July 4, 2013.
The kidnappers then phoned Hridoy’s elder brother Md Yousuf, demanding Tk 3 lakh for his release.
On the following day, police recovered Hridoy’s body from Kalatali Road area. Later, Victim’s father filed a murder a case with Cox’s Bazar Model Police Station.
On June 7, 2015, the district and sessions judge of Cox’s Bazar sentenced Khaleque, Bahadur and Shukkur to death and acquitted another accused Jasim Uddin in the case.
The HC appointed lawyer Shahnaz Haque as a state defence lawyer for Shukkur as he is absconding.
