Family alleges of receiving threats

Family members of former central Jubo League leader Mohiuddin Sohel -- who was beaten and stabbed to death in port city's Pahartali Railway Bazar on January 7 -- yesterday said they are being threatened by the accused of the murder case who are now out on bail.

Demanding fair investigation and exemplary punishment of the accused, the family members yesterday at a press conference in Chattogram Press Club said Mohiuddin was murdered in a pre-planned way over rivalry with Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) councillor Saber Ahmed and Osman Khan, a businessman of Pahartali Bazar.

Osman is also the general secretary of Jatiya Party's Chattogram metropolitan unit.

Reading out a written statement, Md Shakirul Islam Shishir, Sohel's younger brother, said “We were surprised to learn that four accused of the murder case, including the prime accused, have secured bail from High Court despite there being evidence and video footage against them.”

“Citing the evidence of murder, we would like to draw the HC's attention in the bail issue of the accused, and we believe the HC will consider the evidence and take the right decision,” said Shishir.

“Those who secured bail from the court and their cohorts have threatened us in different ways while our family is going through a tense situation, losing our beloved brother,” he added.

“We demand nothing but justice for our brother through a fair investigation, and we have demanded to bring the case under Speedy Trial Act,” said Shishir.

Saber Ahmed, councillor of CCC's Ward 12 and a businessman of Pahartali Bazar, has secured a four-week bail, while Osman Khan got one-year bail from HC, said family and police sources.

Talking to The Daily Star, Assistant Commissioner of Double Mooring zone Ashikur Rahman said, “Police have arrested 20 persons, including 11 FIR-named accused.”

“Several arrestees testified to court about a plot to murder Sohel,” he added.

“Osman Khan was remanded twice, while Saber secured bail from the court before police arrested him in connection with the murder,” said AC Ashikur.

He added that Sohel's family did not tell police or investigators about the threats issued by the accused.

However, police will look into the matter, Ashikur said.

Mohiuddin, a former general secretary of Chattogram Commerce College unit of Jubo League, was killed by a mob, most of them traders, for alleged extortion from local traders at Pahartali Railway Bazar on January 7.

His brother Shishir filed the case, naming 27 persons and 150 unnamed others with Double Mooring Police Station the following day.

After the murder, Mohiuddin's family claimed that he was targeted as he raised his voice against irregularities and other crimes at the market area.