Charge framing set for 19 January in lawyer Saiful murder case
Chattogram Speedy Trial Tribunal Judge Md Zahidul Haque issued the order, Assistant Public Prosecutor Md Raihanul Wazed Chowdhury confirmed to the media.
A Chattogram court today (14 January) set 19 January for framing charges in the murder case of advocate Saiful Islam Alif, following the completion of all required legal procedures.
Chattogram Speedy Trial Tribunal Judge Md Zahidul Haque issued the order, Assistant Public Prosecutor Md Raihanul Wazed Chowdhury confirmed to the media.
According to lawyers representing the plaintiff, the trial court has already received the case documents. Of the 23 accused named in the case, 22 were produced before the court this afternoon under tight security.
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Accused Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, former Iskcon leader and spokesperson of the Sammilito Sanatoni Jagoron Jote was not brought to court due to security concerns and other considerations.
At around 3pm, the judge verified the presence of the accused one by one. During the hearing, several defendants, with the court's permission, made statements seeking legal representation and adequate security.
The court assured them that all legal provisions regarding defence counsel and security would be ensured, including the appointment of state lawyers if any accused remained without legal representation.
Raihanul Wazed said the judge clarified that at this stage, none of the accused are being treated as proven offenders. "All are general accused, and only those against whom charges are proven will be considered guilty," the judge noted.
Formal charges will be read out in the presence of the accused on 19 January. At present, 16 accused in the case remain absconding.
Saiful, a member of the Chattogram District Bar Association, was assaulted and killed on 26 November 2024 during unrest at the Chattogram court premises.
Violence erupted after bail was denied to Chinmoy Krishna Das, prompting protests by his followers. Police and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) used batons and sound grenades to control the situation, during which Alif was beaten and hacked to death.
Following the incident, Alif's father, Jamal Uddin, filed a case with Kotwali police station, initially naming 31 people.
On 1 June 2025, investigation officer Mahfuzur Rahman submitted a charge sheet against 38 individuals, including Chinmoy Krishna Das.
