Dhaka – The jail authorities are full ready to execute convicted militant leader Mufti Abdul Hannan’s death penalty immediately after getting the government’s executive order for the executions.While addressing at a press conference in the capital, Inspector General (IG) of Prisons Brig Gen Syed Iftekhar Uddin said, the copy of Supreme Court verdict which upheld the death penalty of banned militant outfit Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami Bangladesh (HUJI-B) leader Mufti Hannan and his aids were sent to the Sylhet court and to Kashimpur jail.
Responding to the queries of the journalists, he said, there is no need to get preparation newly for the execution. The jail authority always remains ready for any execution.
Replying to another question, the prison chief said, the execution procedure formally starts after the executive orders reach both the places.
We did not receive any executive order for the executions, he added.
We shall take the necessary steps as per jail code after getting the executive order, he said.
He also did not disclose the name of the jail where the convict would be hanged due to the security ground.
Death row terror Mufti Hannan and his aid Bipul hinted that they will seek presidential clemency, according to the jail authorities.
Ripon who is detained in Sylhet jail, told jail officials that he will give a decision later after consulting his lawyer and family members, said Sylhet Jail Super Sagir Ali.
“The copy of the verdict was read out to Mufti Hannan and his aid Sharif Shahedul Alam alias Bipul around 10 am . They told us that they would file mercy petition to the president, said, Mizanur Rahman, senior jail superintendent of Kashimpur High Security Jail.
Mufti Hannan and two other HUJI activists, Sharif Shahedul Alam alias Bipul and Delwar Hossain alias Ripon were awarded the death penalty for the 2004 grenade attack on the then UK envoy in Sylhet.
HUJI leader Mufti Hannan and Bipul are being kept at the Kashimpur High Security Prison in Gazipur while Ripon is lodged at the Sylhet Central Jail.
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court published the verdict, rejecting their petitions for review of their sentences, which was read out to them yesterday.
After losing the last legal battle , the three have only option of seeking presidential clemency by admitting their crimes.
According to the jail code, they will now get seven days to petition for pardon.
If the president rejects their pleas, the government will fix a date and prison authorities will start the process to execute the verdict.
In May 2004, then British High Commissioner Anwar Choudhury came under a grenade attack while coming out of the Hazrat Shahjalal’s shrine in his hometown Sylhet.
Police’s Assistant Sub-inspector Kamal Uddin died instantly. Constable Rubel Ahmed and one Habil Miah succumbed to their injuries in a hospital later. – Staff Reporter
