Trial of three sensational cases -- attempted murder of former AL leader Suranjit Sengupta, grenade attack in his rally, and grenade attack in former Finance Minister Shah AMS Kibria -- began at a Sylhet court yesterday.

In all three cases, Sylhet Speedy Trial Tribunal framed charges against former state minister for home Lutfozzaman Babar, Sylhet City Mayor Ariful Haque Chowdhury, former Habiganj Mayor GK Gous and others.

In the attempted murder case of Suranjit and explosive case filed for attacking his rally on June 21, 2004, the court framed charge against the trio along with seven others, Sarwar Hossain Abdal, public prosecutor of the tribunal said. In the explosive case filed for grenade attack in Kibria's rally on January 27, 2005, charges against the trio and 25 others were framed, he added.

Meanwhile, testimony-recording of witnesses in the murder case of Kibria was deferred as some witnesses were not present, he said.

The prosecutor said, "With the charge framing of the cases, trial began after a long wait."

On June 21, 2004, a grenade attack took place at the rally of Suranjit Sengupta at Derai upazila bazaar in Sunamganj. Suranjit escaped death but a Jubo League activist was killed and 29 others were injured.

On January 27, 2005, another grenade attack took place in Baidyerbazar of Habiganj Sadar where Shah AMS Kibria and four others died.