UNB, Dhaka :
The Supreme Court on Monday granted leave-to-appeal plea against the High Court order that had acquitted five convicts in the Arnab murder case in Satkhira in 2000.
The apex court also asked the five convicted accused to surrender to the designated trial court and seek bail in connection with the case.
Besides, it asked the trial court to grant the five accused bail subject to surrender.
A four-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by Justice Nazmun
Ara Sultana passed the order upon a petition filed by slain Arnab’s family.
Arnab Das, 8, son of Krishna Das of Saihati village in Kaliganj upazila of Satkhira, was found dead on June 21 in 2000, several days after Mukul Gazi of neighbouring Khalisani village called Arnab out of their house.
The criminals gouged out Arnab’s two eyes and cut his right hand and tendons of his two legs. A case was filed in this connection.
Then district and sessions judge of Satkhira Ashish Ranjan Das sentenced two accused-Khalilur Rahman and Ghulam Faruque-to death and four others-Mukul Gazi, Abdus Sattar, Motiur Rahman and Sushil Kumar-to life term imprisonment on November 28, 2007.
On August 24, 2010, the High Court upheld only the life term imprisonment of Mukul Gaz and acquitted the remaining five convicts — two condemned prisoners and three lifers.
Dr Kamal Hossain and Khurshid Alam Khan stood for the appellant.
