The High Court yesterday acquitted three people who were sentenced to death by a trial court in a case filed for abducting and killing a six-year-old in Cox's Bazar in 2013.

HC acquitted Abdul Khaleque, Bahadur Miah and Abdus Shukkur of the charges of abducting and killing Md Hridoy, as allegations against them were not proven.

The HC bench of Justice Krishna Debnath and Justice ASM Abdul Mobin gave the verdict after hearing the appeals filed by accused Khaleque and Bahadur, death reference (lower court record) of the case and examining relevant documents and evidence.

They are now in the jail while Shukkur is on the run, Mohammad Shishir Manir, a defence lawyer for the two, told The Daily Star.

He said the HC bench acquitted the three as it was proven that Khaleque and Bahadur were tortured and forced to give confessional statements to the magistrate concerned.

Shishir Manir said there is no other evidence and documents in the case to proof the allegations against the three.