Justice for Taqi: Noted citizens call for judicial intervention
As little progress has been made in Tanwir Muhammad Taqi murder case in past six years, seeking judicial intervention to the matter will be a timely step now, eminent citizens said at a roundtable yesterday.
Santrash Nirmul Taqi Mancha, a platform working to curb crimes in Narayanganj, organised the programme at Jatiya Press Club in Dhaka, marking the sixth anniversary of the sensational murder.
Though the investigation agency, Rab, prepared a charge-sheet of the case within a year, it is yet to submit it to the court, said a written paper provided by the organisers.
At the event, speakers said denial of justice in Taqi murder case and many other similar incidents indicate to the country's prevailing culture of impunity. They stressed on launching a campaign, involving people from all walks of life in this regard.
Journalist Mizanur Rahman Khan brought to the fore the issue of the Rab charge-sheet. Its copy was provided to the media during a press briefing at Rab headquarters on March 5, 2014.
Providing charge-sheet during a press briefing is not a common practice in the country's criminal justice system or in the state mechanism, said Mizanur, joint editor of Bangla daily Prothom Alo.
Rab's disclosing of the charge-sheet such a way was significant, he said, adding that this issue could have been raised by the platform before the High Court, seeking its directives to this end.
Referring to a Supreme Court observation over the seven-murder case in Narayanganj, he said judicial intervention helped make its trial process and verdict possible.
Agreeing with Mizanur, cultural personality Kamal Lohani said civil society members could work together in seeking SC intervention.
The matter could be discussed with senior lawyers, he said, adding that what Taqi Mancha was doing could be an inspiration to ensure citizen rights.
Oikya Nap President Pankaj Bhattacharya said over two dozens statements of eminent personalities, seeking justice, have been made public in past years. “Unfortunately, the state has taken the side of perpetrators,” he alleged.
Taqi Mancha member secretary Halim Azad said they would soon take steps to seek judicial intervention as suggested by noted citizens.
Taqi's father and the platform's convener Rafiur Rabbi said incidents of killing continue to take place in Narayanganj.
He pointed finger at a family behind the killings and demanded punishment of the killers. The platform will work to this end, and also to ensure good governance, he added.
Daily Sangbad's (acting) Editor Khandaker Muniruzzaman said it is distressing that people have to arrange events such as discussions year after year to seek justice. Not just Taqi's family, families of Tonu, Mitu, Sagar-Runi and many others are suffering a similar fate, he said.
Prof Emeritus of Dhaka University Serajul Islam Choudhury said, “The state is to be blamed for Taqi's murder because it neither could ensure security while he was alive nor ensure justice after his death.”
Taqi's murder is not an isolated incident, he said. “It's time to bring a change in the country where youths like Taqi will feel safe.”
Noted economist Prof Anu Muhammad said trials of many sensational murders have not been completed while demands for justice were also being hampered because of the “absolute power” of the government.
Communist Party of Bangladesh President Mujahidul Islam Selim said perpetrators killed Taqi to silence his father. He said it may take a long time to get justice; strength and belief will be needed to continue the demand.
Shujan Secretary Badiul Alam Majumder called for continuing demands for trial and justice for Taqi.
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