4 DU students appeal against conviction

Four Dhaka University (DU) students, who were convicted of violating the Emergency Power Rules (EPR) on the campus August 21-23 last year, filed separate appeals with the Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court yesterday challenging their convictions.
Meantime, the case filed against seven DU students for torching an army vehicle and assaulting an army man at Shahbagh intersection during the DU violence on August 23 last year was transferred to a court for its trial.
APPEALS OF FOUR STUDENTS
Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) DU Unit President Hasan Mamun, its General Secretary Saiful Islam Feroz, activist Kamrul Islam Kochi, and former Chhatra Union leader Aziz Hasan filed the appeals with the Court of Metropolitan Sessions Judge Mohammad Azizul Haque.
After the hearing, the judge fixed today for order on the issue.
On January 21 this year, Metropolitan Magistrate Habibur Rahman Siddiqui sentenced the four to two years' rigorous imprisonment each for violating the EPR on the campus. But they were relieved of jail term on presidential clemency.
During the verdict, all the four students were absconding. The court acquitted four DU teachers and 11 students of the charges as their involvement in the incidents were not proved.
The DU teachers who were acquitted of the charges are Prof Sadrul Amin, president of Dhaka University Teachers' Association (Duta), Prof Anwar Hossain, general secretary of Duta, Prof Harun-or-Rashid, dean of the social science faculty and Prof Neem Chandra Bhowmik, chairman of the physics department
The acquitted students are Acting President of JCD Shamsunnahar Hall Unit Tanjeen Chowdhury Lili, JCD Rokeya Hall Unit President Shahinoor Nargis, Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) leader Aparna Rani Pal, Rifat Hossain Jiku, Nazrul Islam Russell, Shamsul Kabir Rahat, Mitul, Rokonuzzaman, Kamruzzaman and Anwar Hossain.
The case was filed against 5,000 to 6,000 unnamed DU students and teachers along with outsiders in connection with the August violence. Police however pressed charges only against four DU teachers and 15 students on September 9.
APPEALS OF TEACHERS
Three Dhaka University (DU) teachers convicted of violating Emergency Power Rules (EPR) and then released on presidential clemency filed separate appeals on February 25 challenging their convictions.
They are Prof Sadrul Amin, Prof Anwar Hossain and Prof Harun-or-Rashid.
On January 22, 2008, Third Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Golam Rabbani sentenced the teachers to two years' rigorous imprisonment each for violating the EPR during campus violence August 21-23 last year.
The court acquitted Prof Neem Chandra Bhowmik and 15 students, as charges brought against them were not proved.
CASE OF SEVEN STUDENTS
Chief Metropolitan Magistrate AKM Enamul Haque yesterday sent the case against seven DU students to the First Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court for its quick disposal.
Earlier on January 22, the government withdrew charges against 18 others who had been charged with the same offence.
The students who will now face the trial are Kazi Zahidul Islam Biplob, Deen Islam Angel, Rafiqul Islam Sujon, Deen Islam, Asaduzzaman Asad, Rashedul Mahmud Habib and Abul Hassan.
On January 7, Sub-Inspector Asgar Ali Khan of Shahbagh Police Station, also the investigation officer (IO) of the case, submitted the charge sheet to the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court, Dhaka.
An army man filed the case against the students with Shahbagh Police on August 26 for torching his vehicle and assaulting him in Shahbagh area. On January 22, the IO submitted the final report.