2015 arson attack: Trial against Rizvi, 6 others begins

With the testimony of the complainant, the trial began today of a case filed over an arson attack that killed a policeman in 2015 against seven people, including BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed.

Judge Jahanara Ferdous of Dhaka's Fourth Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court recorded the statement of Sub-Inspector Shafiul Islam.

Later, the defence for Rizvi and others cross-examined the complainant on different points.

After that, the judge fixed November 6 for the next hearing of the case.

During today's hearing, Rizvi and four others, now on bail, were present at the court while BNP Joint Secretary General Habibun Nabi Khan Sohel was absent by submitting a time petition through his lawyer.

Dhaka College unit former JCD president Anwar Hossain alias Tipu has been absconding.

On August 31, charges were framed against Rizvi and six others in the case.

According to the case, police constable Shamim Mia, 28, suffered injuries to his head from a petrol bomb attack on a police bus near Matsya Bhaban in Dhaka on January 17, 2015.

After 19 days, Shamim died of his injuries at the Square Hospital in the capital on February 5.

Following the incident, police filed a case against 31 BNP leaders and activists, including MK Anwar and Rizvi for the arson attack.

On June 4, 2015, Sub-Inspector Dipak Kumar Das of the Detective Branch (DB) of police, also the ten investigation officer of the case, submitted the charge sheet in the case to the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court in Dhaka, showing 23 people as prosecution witnesses.

The IO also dropped the names of 26 BNP leaders and activists, including MK Anwar from the charge sheet.

Police later included names of two others in the case as their involvement in the incident was found during the investigation.