The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court (SC) has upheld its chamber judge's order and asked four accused in a temple attack case in Pekua of Cox’s Bazar, who were granted anticipatory bail by the High Court (HC), to surrender before the lower court concerned in a week.
The full bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain issued the order, dismissing a petition of the accused that sought revision of the chamber judge court order asking the accused to surrender in the lower court.
Barrister Ruhul Quddus Kazal stood for the defence in the case, while Attorney General AM Amin Uddin and Deputy Attorney General Biswajit Debnath represented the state.
The Durga Temple in Pekua of Cox's Bazar was attacked by miscreants on October 13 in 2021. The case was filed on October 15.
Of the accused, Pekua Sadar Union Parishad Chairman and upazila BNP president Bahadur Shah, upazila Jubo Dal president Kamran Jadid, ward council member Sazzad and BNP activist and businessman Shahnewaj Ajad pleaded for anticipatory bail before the High Court.
The High Court on October 28, granted them anticipatory bail till December 5, prompting the state to appeal against the order.
After holding hearing on a state plea, the Appellate Division Chamber Judge Justice Obaidul Hassan on October 31 had stayed the High Court order and ordered the accused to surrender within a week.
Deputy Attorney General Bishwajit Debnath told media that the trial court concerned would pass necessary order in accordance with the law after the accused surrender. In the petition, the accused said that they would participate in the upcoming union parishad election.
