Dhaka, June 26 – After lifting a 28-year old stay order on the trial proceeding of a murder case, the High Court yesterday directed the registrar general to prepare a list of the criminal cases which have been stayed following the HC order since 2010.
The HC also directed Registrar General Md Golam Rabbani to submit the list before the chief justice within three weeks for taking a necessary decision over the cases.
The HC bench comprising Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman came up with the order after lifting a stay order on the trial proceedings of a case filed over killing a woman in front of Viqarunnisa Noon School in Dhaka’s Bailey Road in 28 years ago.
The HC bench also directed the lower court concerned to complete the trial proceedings of the case within three months.
It also ordered the Police Bureau of Investigation to complete further probe of the case by two months.
During yesterday’s proceeding, the HC bench expressed confusion about the punishment of a mugger who allegedly killed Sagira Morshed as 28 years have passed after the HC’s stay order.
“Allah knows what will be the result of the murder case after so many years,” the HC said adding: “Even the state could not ensure justice for the victim”.
According to the case statement, Sagira Morshed Salam went to Viqarunnisa Noon School in the capital’s Bailey Road to take her daughter Farahat Chowdhury, 8, a class two student, in 1989.
The mugger shot her to death for taking a golden wristlet in front of the school. Her husband Abdus Salam Chowdhury filed the case with Ramna Police Station the same day.
No one was arrested after the killing incident took place.
On January 17 in 1991, after conducting an investigation, police submitted the charge sheet before the lower court concerned against a Minto alias Mantoo alias Moron.
The lower court had also recorded statements of seven witnesses in connection with the case.
During the trial proceedings, the name of one Maruf Reza came to light when the trial court was recording statement of one of the witnesses.
Then the lower court on May 23, 1991, directed police to further investigate into the case.
Later, Maruf Reza, a relative of former Home Minister Mahmudul Hasan, filed a revision petition with the HC challenging the lower court order for further investigation.
The HC on July 2, 1991, stayed the trial proceedings of the case and its further probe.
The HC also issued a rule asking the government why the lower court for further investigation should not be scrapped.
Recently, the intelligence agency informed the status of the killing case to the attorney general office. Then the AG took an initiative for hearing the case.
Finally, the HC yesterday lifted its stay order and scrapped the rule issued by it earlier in this regard. – Staff Reporter
