Supreme Court clears the way to resume trial

The Supreme Court yesterday cleared the way for the lower court concerned to resume the trial proceedings of journalist Abdul Hakim Shimul murder case in Sirajganj.

Chamber Judge of the Appellate Division of the SC Justice Hasan Foez Siddique stayed a High Court order that halted the trial proceedings of the case.

The apex court chamber judge passed the order following a petition filed by the government, seeking stay on the HC order.

Justice Siddique also sent the government petition to the full bench of the apex court for hearing on October 14.

Attorney General Mahbubey Alam told reporters there is no legal bar for the lower court concerned to resume the trial proceedings of Shimul murder case.

Shimul, Shahzadpur correspondent of the daily Samakal, was hit when Halimul Haque Miru, the suspended mayor of Shahzadpur municipality in Sirajganj, allegedly opened fire during a factional clash on February 2, 2017. He died the next day. The following day, Shimul’s wife Nurunnahar filed a murder case with Shahzadpur Police Station against Miru, his two brothers and 15 others.

Following a writ petition filed by some accused, the HC on August 29 this year stayed the trial proceedings of the case for six months.

The government recently filed a petition with the SC seeking stay on the HC order.

Attorney General Mahbubey Alam and Deputy Attorney General Bishwajit Debnath appeared for the government while Advocate Abdul Alim Jewel argued for the writ petitioners.