A group of unidentified criminals set fire to the village home of Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha, a senior judge of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, at Kamalganj in Moulvibazar early morning yesterday.

In this connection, police arrested Abu Taleb, a leader of pro-Jamaat labour organisation, at Vanuganj of the upazila in the evening, Kamalganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Nihar Ranjan Nath told The Daily Star around 5:00pm.

Nilmani Sinha, younger brother of the justice, said at least 10-12 people riding a CNG-run three-wheeler and two motorbikes arrived at Tilokpur village, and set fire to the justice's house by pouring kerosene around 5:30am.

As the family members cried for help, the criminals fled the scene, leaving behind a sharp weapon, he said. However, none was injured as locals doused the flame immediately, he added. On September 17, a five-member bench of the Appellate Division including Justice SK Sinha awarded death sentence to Jamaat assistant secretary general Abdul Quader Molla for committing crimes against humanity during the country's Liberation War in 1971.

Nilmani's wife Laxmirani Sinha claimed that Jamaat-Shibir men had carried out the arson attack out of vengeance.

The OC said only two wooden chairs were burnt as the locals had doused the fire immediately.

Sub-inspector Jiaur Rahaman filed a case against 10-12 unknown miscreants.

Superintendent of Police of Moulvibazar Tofael Ahmed, Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Kamalganj Md Jahidul Miah, and members of Rapid Action Battalion-9 visited the spot.