The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on Monday asked the lower court to finish the trial of the cases filed in connection with the Rana Plaza collapse within six months.
The apex court also stayed the High Courts verdict that granted interim bail to Sohel Rana, owner of the eight-storey building that collapsed on April 24 in 2013 killing more than 1000 people, mostly workers of readymade garment factories located in the building, till disposal of the case.
A four-judge bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan passed the order after hearing a governments appeal against the High Court verdict that granted bail to Sohel Rana on April 6 in 2023.
Deputy Attorney General Sarowar Hossain Bappi represented the state while counsel Md Kamrul Islam stood for the accused.
On April 6 last year, the High Court (HC) granted bail to Sohel Rana in the murder case while the prosecution submitted a petition seeking a stay order in this regard later.
On April 9, the Chamber Court of the SC stayed the HC order and sent the petition to the regular bench of the Appellate Division.
On July 10, the Appellate Division issued a rule asking to keep the petition, filed by the state, standover and also ordered to keep the bail order (HC order) stayed until the petition is settled.
