Charge framing deferred 3rd time
For the third time yesterday, a speedy trial tribunal in Rajshahi deferred the date of the hearing on charge framing in the case of killing Sirajganj journalist Abdul Hakim Shimul.
At the same time, tribunal judge Anup Kumar also rejected the bail petition of the prime accused in the case, Halimul Haque Miru, suspended mayor of Shahzadpur municipality.
Once again, the defendant’s side showed that an accused person was absent in the court, and prayed for deferring the date, said public prosecutor Entajul Haque.
He said the defendant’s side argued they were not prepared for the hearing on the initial date of August 8.
They argued that Kalu, an accused who was arrested in Chapainawabganj, could not be produced in front of the court on the second date of August 18, and yesterday, they claimed another accused, Shaheb Ali, who was arrested in Sirajganj, could not be produced, he said.
“The arguments of the defendants are puzzling me. They are clearly bringing pleas to defer the hearing date,” Entajul Haque said.
On February 2, 2017, Shimul, who was Shahzadpur correspondent of the daily Samakal, received bullet injuries in his head from the shotgun used by Miru while Shimul was covering a clash between two feuding groups of Chhatra League in the municipal area. Shimul succumbed to his injuries the next day.
Shimul’s wife Nurunnahar Khatun filed a case in this regard with Shahzadpur Police Station accusing Miru and 17 other named persons along with 25 unnamed persons.
On May 2 the same year, police pressed charges against Miru, his brother Mintu, and 36 others in the case.
The case was under trial at Sirajganj Additional District and Sessions Judge’s Court. On December 24, 2018, the home ministry ordered to transfer the case to Rajshahi Speedy Trial Tribunal, but the order took seven months to reach Rajshahi, on July 14 this year.
Rajshahi’s Speedy Trial Tribunal Judge Anup Kumar had initially fixed August 8 for holding hearing on framing charges in the case.
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