Charge framing in explosives case deferred

The charge framing in the case under the Explosive Substances Act, linked to former finance minister SAMS Kibria murder case, has been deferred to September 27.

During yesterday's hearing, Habiganj senior judicial Magistrate Nishat Sultana fixed the date for the charge framing as the 14 accused, including former state minister for home Lutfozzaman Babar and suspended mayors of Habiganj and Sylhet, were not present in the court.

Suspended Sylhet mayor Ariful's lawyer Mohammad Lala, and lawyers for the 14 accused submitted time petition to the court, saying their clients could not be present before the court due to illness.

On August 18, the hearing on the charge framing in the murder case was deferred for the seventh time. The hearing will be held today. 

On January 27, 2005, five people, including Kibria, were killed and 70 others injured in a grenade attack on a public rally of local Awami League at Baidder Bazar in Habiganj Sadar upazila.

Awami League leader Abdul Mazid Khan filed two cases -- one for the murder and another under the Explosives Substances Act -- with the Habiganj Police Station the following day.