Death of Abrar: Prothom Alo Editor, 5 others seek anticipatory bail

Six accused including Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman and Deputy Editor Anisul Haque today appealed for anticipatory bail to the High Court in a case filed over the death of Dhaka Residential Model College student Nayeemul Abrar Rahat.

The bench of justices Obaidul Hasan and Zahirul Hoque is likely to hear the plea today, said Barrister M Amirul Islam.

On January 16, a Dhaka court issued arrest warrant against 10 people including the editor and deputy editor.

Eight other accused persons are- Kabir Bakul, Shuvashish Pramanik Shuvo, Mahitul Alam Pavel, Shah Paran Tushar, Jasim Uddin Apu, Sujan and Kamrul Haider.

On Saturday, police went to the house of Kabir Bakul, head of Prothom Alo's Event and Activation, at Moghbazar's Dilu road area with an arrest warrant. However, he was not home that time.

Meanwhile, 47 prominent citizens of the country have expressed concern over the issuance of arrest warrants.

Earlier on November 14 last year, a writ petition was filed demanding Tk10 crore in compensation and action against national daily Prothom Alo in connection with the death of Abrar.

On November 3, a legal notice was served to Matiur Rahman, editor and publisher of Bangla daily Prothom Alo, demanding compensation in this connection.

Nayeemul Abrar was electrocuted by a power generator during a programme organised by Kishor Alo, a supplement of Prothom Alo for young readers, on the school premises on November 1.

The 14-year-old boy was taken to Universal Medical College and Hospital in Mohakhali 45 minutes after the incident happened, whereas Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital was on the opposite side of the event venue. The boy was declared dead at 4:51pm.