Jabal-E-Noor Buses: Verdict in Dia, Rajib’s killing case in September

The trial over the death of two college students in a road accident involving two Jabal-e-Noor Paribahan buses last year is now at the final stage.

“The judgment is likely to be pronounced by September,” said Additional Public Prosecutor Tapash Pal, who is conducting the case from the very beginning. 

Six people including the owners, drivers and helpers of the buses stand the trial. They were indicted on homicide charges.

Tapash said the defence is continuing the cross-examination of the investigation officer -- Inspector Kazi Shariful Islam of the Detective Branch (DB) of police.

After completion of the cross-examination, arguments from both sides will be heard and the judgment will be passed, he added. 

The case is pending with the court of Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge KM Emrul Kayesh. So far, the court recorded statements of 36 prosecution witnesses including the complainant. The next hearing is scheduled for August 22.

On July 29 last year, two students of Shaheed Ramiz Uddin Cantonment College -- Abdul Karim Rajib, 18, and Dia Khanam Mim, 17 -- were run over when two Jabal-e-Noor buses were speeding to overtake each other on Airport Road. 

Their deaths sparked a huge public outrage and unprecedented nationwide student demonstrations demanding road safety.

Dia’s father Jahangir Alam filed the case with Cantonment Police Station.

The accused are drivers Masum Billah and Zobair Hossain Sumon, helpers Enayet Hossain and Kazi Asad,

and owners Shahadat Hossain and Jahangir Alam. Of them Shahadat is on bail, Asad on the run, and the remaining four in jail.

On September 6 last year, the investigation officer submitted the charge-sheet to the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court in Dhaka against the six, and homicide charges were framed against them on October 25.