A Dhaka court on Sunday fixed July 8 to decide on whether to admit charges against Rana Plaza building owner Sohel Rana and 40 others in the case filed for the murder of more than 1,100 people in the collapse of the building.Senior Judicial Magistrate Shahinur Rahman of Dhaka district fixed the date on Sunday. The hearing scheduled for Sunday, did not held on the day. Accused Rana also was not produced to the court. The court sought explanation of Prosecution’s Asaduzzaman as to why Rana was not produced to the court.
On Apr 24, 2013, the Rana Plaza building in Savar, which housed five garment factories, came crushing down. Official figures put the death toll at 1,135, mostly workers of the readymade clothing factories. At least 2,458 people were rescued from the rubble.
Savar police filed a case over ‘negligent death’, accusing 21 including Rana. But police brought charges against 41, accusing them of murder. Investigation Officer Bijay Krishna Kar submitted the charge sheet to the court on June 1.
Rana and three other accused are in jail now. Seventeen of those accused of murder and another have been charged in another case filed over construction without following the building code. Of those accused in the murder case, 25 are absconding. Seven are on the run in the other case while all other accused are on bail. – Special Representative
