Delay in producing Hadi murder accused: Court asks IO to explain, show-causes lockup OC, GRO

A Dhaka court has issued a show-cause notice to the lock-up operation officer (OC) and the general registration officer (GRO) for the delay in producing an accused before the court in the murder case of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman bin Hadi.

The court has also ordered the Detective Branch (DB) Inspector Faisal Ahmed, investigation officer of the case, to explain the delay within 15 working days.

Dhaka Additional Metropolitan Magistrate Awlad Hossain Mohammad Junaid passed the order today (24 December) after a hearing.

The accused, Md Aminul Islam alias Raju, allegedly assisted Faisal Karim Masud, the prime suspect in the case, by helping him go into hiding near the border and facilitating his reported attempt to flee to India through illegal routes.

According to court sources, police produced Raju before the court around 5pm, but he was taken into the dock at 6:20pm under tight security, prompting the court to question the delay.

During the hearing, the investigation officer sought a 10-day remand for the accused. The court granted a five-day remand instead.

At the same time, the court issued show-cause notices to the CMM court lock-up's operation officer and the GRO, asking why the accused was produced late.

Explaining the allegations against Raju, Inspector Faisal Ahmed told the court that media reports and investigation findings indicate that with the assistance of Philip, believed to be the leader of a cross-border human trafficking network operating along the border, Raju had helped Faisal hide in border areas and provided financial assistance.

"His name emerged from the statements of accused Sibion Dew and Sanjay Chisim, who are members of an inter-district network," the investigation officer added.

Raju was arrested around 1:30am today from the Mirpur-11 area of the capital. With his arrest, a total of 10 people have been arrested in the Hadi murder case.