Haji Selim acquitted in murder case

A Dhaka court yesterday acquitted former Awami League (AL) lawmaker Haji Mohammad Selim and three others of a murder case filed against them five years ago.
Judge Masdar Hossain of the Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 gave the acquittal order in presence of Haji Selim and others in a packed courtroom.
In his order, the judge said the prosecution failed to prove the charges against the accused. So, they were acquitted of the murder charges.
The case was filed on March 31, 2004 against Haji Selim, Golam Hossain, Ali Haider and Delwar Hossain on charge of killing Jubo Dal activist Abdul Hannan on March 30, 2004.
Selim, an accused in 120 criminal cases, was brought to the court amid tight security.
A large number of supporters of Selim gathered on the court premises and brought out a procession demanding withdrawal of the case, even though the High Court (HC) had earlier banned all sorts of processions on the court premises.
Special Public Prosecutor Abu Abdullah appeared for the state while advocate Pran Nath defended the accused.