Model Tinni murder: Verdict rescheduled for November 15

A Dhaka court today resheduled the date to November 15 for delivering the judgment against former student leader and Jatiya Party MP Golam Faruq Ovi in the case filed over the killing of model Syeda Tania Mahbub Tinni in 2002.

Judge Keshab Roy Chowdury of the 7th Additional District and Sessions Judge's Court of Dhaka set the new date as the judgment was not ready, court sources said.

After conclusion of arguments, the judge on September 9 fixed today for delivery of judgment in the case.

Earlier the court recorded statements of 23 prosecution witnesses, including victim's father Syed Mahbub Karim and also the complainant of the case.

On Nov 10, 2002, police recovered Tinni's body from under China-Bangladesh Friendship Bridge over the Buriganga River and a case was filed with Keraniganj Police Station on the same day.

Following the incident, SI Shafiuddin of the police station on different dates arrested Tinni's ex-husband Shafakat Ahmed Pial, Swapan Gazi, Gazi Sharifullah Tapan, Shafiqul Islam Jewel and Somnath Saha Bappy.

But the Criminal Investigation Department on November 8 of 2008, pressed charge against Ovi and dropped the names of Pial and others as the charges brought against them were not proven.

According to the charge sheet, Ovi allegedly killed Tinni to hide his "illicit relationship". The charge sheet also said he was in Canada.

Following the charge sheet, the court issued an arrest warrant against Ovi asking him to appear before it on different dates, but Ovi did not comply with the court order.