Trial of blogger Ananta Bijoy murder begins
A Sylhet court yesterday started trial proceedings of blogger Ananta Bijoy Das murder case by recording testimony of the case’s complainant.
Sylhet Additional Metropolitan Session Judge Muminun Nessa recorded testimony of Ananta’s brother Ratneswar Das, said Masuk Ahmed, additional public prosecutor. He said only one accused, Abul Khayer Rashid Ahmed, was present.
Among the five accused, Shafiur Rahman Farabi is in Kashimpur jail while Abul Hossain, Harunur Rashid and Faisal Ahmed are absconding.
The court set June 9 for the next hearing. There are 29 witnesses in the case, the APP said.
Ananta was killed at the city’s Subidbazar by unidentified assailants on the morning of May 12, 2015, while on his way to work. Militant outfit Ansarullah Bangla Team later claimed responsibility for the murder online.
Crime Investigation Department (CID) of police arrested Mannan Yahya alias Mannan Rahi and his brother Abul Khayer on August 28 that year. Mannan later confessed that five people took part in the murder.
On May 9, 2017, CID pressed a revised charge sheet against six persons. Mannan died in Kashimpur jail on November 2, 2017 due to illness.
Ananta, an advocate for secularism and science, became the third victim in a spate of attacks against free-thinkers by militant groups in 2015, following science writer Avijit Roy and Oyasiqur Rahman.
Ananta’s brother Ratneswar Das filed a murder case accusing some unnamed persons with Sylhet Airport Police Station. Later, the case was transferred to CID.
Comments