The charge sheet is the first among the four cases filed for 15 blasts on August 17, 2005 at different places under Boalia, Rajpara, Shah Makhdum and Motihar police stations of the city.

Investigation Officer (IO) Amirul Islam, also sub-inspector of Shah Makhdum PS, brought charges against them under the Explosive Substances Act for 'masterminding, financing and instigating serial blasts, explosive production and control, import of bomb making materials and equipment causing panic and loss of life and properties.'

The accused are -- JMB chief Abdur Rahman, Shura members Siddiqul Islam Bangla Bhai and Abdul Awal, Rajshahi divisional chief Kamal alias Shafiullah Tareq, Rajshahi divisional ammunitions supplier Tarikul Islam, Delwar Hossain alias Mithu alias Hasibul Islam, Arif alias Alal alias Abdur Rahman Karim and Abdur Rahim alias Nasim alias Shahadat.

Of them, Arif and Abdur Rahim are absconding.

In the charge sheet submitted to a metropolitan magistrate's court, the IO also described the JMB activities since 2000, its origin of funds, reasons for resorting to terrorism and how they carried out the "unprecedented and combined" serial blasts across the country.

8 RELIEVED OF CHARGES
The militants who are relieved of the charges are -- Rajshahi regional JMB commanders Shafiullah alias Faruk and Abu Isa alias Enamul Haque, financial aide Akhtarul Islam, Abdul Mazid, Abdur Razzak, Abul Kalam Azad, Abdur Rahman alias Khaled and Zahurul alias Babu.

The IO explained that no evidence or witnesses holding them responsible for the blast at Nawdapara Bazar were found during the investigation.

The JMB men carried out the bomb attacks in the district on August 17 after Rahman and Bangla Bhai gave them final order at around 10:00am on the day, he added.