The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court (SC) today ordered the authorities concerned not to release five convicts, who were sentenced to varying jail terms, until disposal of an appeal filed by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) prosecution seeking enhancement of their punishment in a crimes against humanity case over the Chankharpul killings in the capital on August 5, 2024.

The apex court also stayed an observation of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 regarding convict former constable Md Sujon Miah.

"Stay so far observation and direction," said the order passed by the Appellate Division Chamber Judge Justice Md Rezaul Haque.

The prosecution on January 29, 2026 pleaded for a stay on the tribunal's observations, describing the sentences awarded to some convicts in the Chankharpul crimes against humanity case as lenient.

Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam made the plea during the hearing of an appeal (ICT-BD Case No. 01/2025) at the Appellate Division Chamber Judge's Court.

Earlier, on January 26, the ICT-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 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.

Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam expressed dissatisfaction over the verdict on the day it was delivered and said the prosecution would file an appeal.