15 years later, justice still eludes family

Yesterday was the death anniversary of former finance minister and Awami League leader Shah AMS Kibria, who was killed in a grisly attack 15 years ago.

Kibria and four others were killed and many injured in a grenade attack on an AL rally in Baidderbazar area of Habiganj on January 27, 2005.

Two cases -- one for murder and another under the Explosive Substances Act -- were filed on the night of the incident.

The trial of the murder case began in September 2015, ten years after the attack, by recording testimonies of the witnesses.

Since then, the trial has been taking place at a Speedy Trial Tribunal in Sylhet. Testimonies of 43 witnesses have been recorded among the 171. However, no testimonies were recorded last year.

A total of 32 people were accused in the case. Among them, three, including militant leader Mufti Hannan, have been executed in other cases; 10, including former state minister for home affairs Lutfozzaman Babar are in jail; 12 are in bail and seven, including BNP Chairperson’s former special assistant Abul Harris Chowdhury, are on the run.

Kishor Kumar Kar, additional public prosecutor of the court, said the next date for recording testimonies is February 4.

“There are some accused, like Babar, who move from jail to jail because of being charged in different cases and cannot appear before the court on time. Some others could not appear for physical illness or other reasons. That’s why the case is being delayed,” he added.

The prosecutor also said the court was yet to frame charges against the accused in the other case filed under the explosive act.

Meanwhile, Dr Reza Kibria, son of ASM Kibria, said, “The trial is being progressed based on incomplete investigation reports.”

“We believe that there are a lot of truths hidden under the surface, and we cannot get justice for the murder this way,” he added.

“We want answers of two questions -- the people who ordered the attack and the source of those grenades. No charge-sheet has the answers. All the three charge sheets seemed to differ,” he said.

Dr Reza Kibria, also general secretary of Gonoforum, said, “All we want is justice with proper investigation.”

Marking the day yesterday, family members, relatives and well-wishers of the famous leader offered tribute at his grave at Banani Intellectuals’ Graveyard in the capital.