Death reference in Bangabandhu murder case not moved

The death reference in the Bangabandhu murder case could not be moved before the High Court yesterday.

As Special Public Prosecutor Anisul Huq made a move before the HC seeking a date for hearing of the death reference, the Criminal Bench comprising Justice Kazi Ebadul Haq and Justice Sikdar Mokbul Huq advised him to move the case before the Death Reference Bench.

"Try your luck first with the Death Reference Bench, which is now on vacation for next seven days", the Criminal Bench said.

Huq appeared at the court room at about 10:30 am and the matter ended in two minutes.

Fifteen people were given death sentence in the verdict on Bangabandhu murder case. District and Sessions Judge, Dhaka, Kazi Golam Rasul gave the verdict on November 8, 1998 after 149 days' hearing.

The judge ordered that the 15 be executed in an open firing squad. If that is not possible for some reason, they be executed by hanging, the verdict said.

The convicts earlier appealed to the High Court against the verdict.