CID warned yet again
A Dhaka court warned the investigation officer (IO) of an August 21 grenade attack case for the second time yesterday for delaying the probe, and asked him to submit the report by April 20.
With this, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) got 20 months and 15 days in eight phases for further investigation of the case filed under Explosive Substances Act.
The court will not extend the time any more, Judge Mohammad Zohurul Hoque of the Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court told Abdul Kahar Akand, CID's special superintendent of police.
The same court on March 1 warned Akand for delaying the investigation.
“We'll all be responsible if President Zillur Rahman cannot see the trial of his wife's [Ivy Rahman] killers in his lifetime,” the judge told the prosecutor yesterday.
At least 23 people, including Awami League leader Ivy Rahman, were killed and scores more injured in the grenade attack on an AL rally at capital's Bangabandhu Avenue on August 21, 2004.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the then opposition leader, was also wounded.
The judge also raised the question over the probe by such an officer who was delaying the investigation.
He asked Metropolitan Public Prosecutor Abdullah Abu as to why the IO has been repeatedly submitting time petitions.
“This is a sensational case and the nation is waiting to see the trial, and we all must realise the importance of the case,” Zohurul said.
The metropolitan public prosecutor said the prosecution will not seek more time after the April 20 deadline.
At one stage, Abdullah Abu said the four-party alliance government played a drama to divert the investigation and arrested one Juj Miah of Noakhali in connection with the attack.
The judge then wanted to know why the current government, which came to power two years ago, has been delaying the probe.
Abdullah Abu avoided a direct reply, but said the investigation is progressing.
The court extended the time following a petition by the IO on Sunday seeking 45 days more to complete the probe.
Another case filed for murder is now pending with the Second Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court in Dhaka.
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