Court Reporter/

Awami League advisory council member and former finance minister Shah AMS Kibria has postponed the testimony in the murder case. Yesterday, Sunday (January 15) was the day for taking evidence in the case. But the testimony was delayed again as the police could not produce witnesses.

This morning, except former Home Minister Lutfuzzaman Babar and militant leader Abdul Majed, Sylhet City Corporation Mayor Ariful Haque Chowdhury, Habiganj Mayor GK Ghaus and other accused were brought to the court. But before presenting them in court, the judge fixed a new date for taking evidence after the hearing. Due to which the accused were not taken down from the prison van.

The bench assistant of the court Zainal Abedin confirmed these facts. He said the accused had a custody warrant. And since the police could not produce the witnesses, the court fixed a new date for the hearing of this case on February 19.

Sarwar Hussain Abdal, public prosecutor of the tribunal, did not receive the call when he called to inquire about this.

On January 27, 2005, 5 people including former finance minister Shah AMS Kibria were killed in a grenade attack on their way back from a public meeting organized by the local Awami League in Baidyar Bazaar of Habiganj Sadar Upazila.

The CID investigated the case filed in this incident three times. In the first round on March 18, 2005, they filed a charge sheet in the court accusing 10 people including the central president of the Shahid Zia Memorial and Research Council. Plaintiff Majid Khan protested against this in the court. In 2007, the CID was once again tasked to re-investigate the case.

Then on June 20, 2011, a charge sheet was filed for further investigation accusing 24 people including former state minister for home Lutfuzzaman Babar, Mufti Hannan. On June 28 of that year, Asma Kibria, wife of Shah AMS Kibria, filed a complaint against the charge sheet.

Last on November 12, 2014, CID Sylhet Range Senior ASP Meherun Nesha Parul filed a charge sheet against Sylhet City Corporation Mayor Ariful Haque Chowdhury against 32 people. On September 13, 2015, Sylhet Speedy Trial Tribunal framed charges against the accused in the case. Besides, on October 22, 2020, in the case filed under the Explosives Act (No-23/05) 28 accused were charged and testimony was taken.

Former prime minister Khaleda Zia’s political secretary Harish Chowdhury, Mufti Shafiqur Rahman, Mufti Abdul Hai, Mohammad Ali, Badrul alias Md are absconding in the murder case. Badrul, Alhaj Maulana Taj Uddin and Md. Muhibur Rahman.

Among the accused are former Minister of State for Home Lutfuzzaman Babar, Mizanur Rahman Mitu, Hafez Syed Naeem Ahmad Arif Prakash Nimu, Badrul Alam Mizan, Maulana Sheikh Farid Ahmad, Abdul Majed Bhat alias Yusuf Bhat, Maulana Sheikh Abdus Salam, Moin Uddin Sheikh alias Mufti Moin. Khawaja alias Abu Jandal alias Masum Billah, Muhibullah alias Mujibur Rahman Prakash Abhi and Maulana Sheikh Abdus Salam.

Besides, Sylhet City Corporation Mayor Ariful Haque Chowdhury, former mayor of Habiganj Municipality GK Gaus are on bail.