DHAKA, Dec 06, 2023 (BSS) - The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court today set December 12 for pronouncing judgment on a criminal appeal filed by Md Sohel Rana, former chief judicial magistrate of Cumilla, against a High Court verdict that sentenced him 30-day simple imprisonment for contempt of court.

The Appellate Division full bench headed by Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan set the date after holding hearing on the appeal.

"Hearing is concluded and judgment on December 12," the short order said. Senior advocate Probir Niyogi and Shah Manjurul Haque argued for Sohel Rana.

According to the case documents, a case was filed with Cummilla Model Police Station on March 27, 2017, against Mamun Chowdhury and Ria Akter couple under telecommunication regulation act. They filed a plea with the High Court against the legality of the case proceedings. Following the plea, the High Court on November 4, 2018, issued a rule and stayed the proceedings of the case.

But, in spite of High Court stay, the then chief judicial magistrate of Cumilla Md Sohel Rana framed charges against the couple on April 10, 2023. Following a petition of accused Mamun, the High Court on August 14 summoned the judge and ordered him to appear before it on August 21 and submit his explanation.

The judge appeared on the fixed date and submitted his explanation. As the explanation was not satisfactory, the High Court on August 28 issued a suo moto contempt of court rule against Md Sohel Rana.

After the High Court order, Cumilla chief judicial magistrate revoked the indictment order and pleaded for unconditional apology in the High Court. But the High Court sentenced him to 30-day simple imprisonment and fined him Taka 5,000 for contempt of court.