Lawyer Alif murder: Charges framed against 39, including Chinmoy Das
Of the 39 accused, 23 are currently in jail and were produced before the court today, including Chinmoy Das. The remaining 16 accused are still absconding
A Chattogram court framed charges against 39 accused, including Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, in the murder case of lawyer Saiful Islam Alif.
Judge Md Zahidul Haque of the Chattogram Speedy Trial Tribunal passed the order this morning (19 January) after reviewing the case statement, charge sheet, CCTV footage, and the confessional statements of the accused. The court fixed 2 February for recording witness testimonies.
Of the 39 accused, 23 are currently in jail and were produced before the court today, including Chinmoy Das. The remaining 16 accused are still absconding.
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The court framed charges against Chinmoy Krishna Das under Sections 302 and 109 of the Penal Code, while charges against the other accused were framed under Sections 147, 448, 449, 302, and 34.
During the hearing, Chinmoy Das personally placed his statement before the court for about 25 minutes. Advocate Dulal Chandra Nath appeared on behalf of the absconding accused, while Advocate Apurba Kumar Bhattacharyya represented Chinmoy Das.
Following the conclusion of the proceedings, tension erupted in the court premises as Chinmoy Das was being taken out of the courtroom. A large number of lawyers present chanted slogans of "killer, killer" targeting him. The accused were later escorted out of the court under tight police security.
Assistant Public Prosecutor Md Raihanul Wazed Chowdhury, representing the prosecution, said the case is sensitive, high-profile and shocking, with direct implications for the people of the country, the legal community, justice seekers, communal harmony, and state security.
"The prosecution firmly believes that the charges brought against the accused will be proven beyond a reasonable doubt based on the evidence presented, and justice will be ensured," he said.
The father of the slain lawyer Saiful Islam Alif was also present at the court. Speaking to reporters, he demanded justice for his son's killing, saying, "We want proper justice for this brutal murder. We are only seeking justice."
Ahead of the hearing, unprecedented security measures were taken in and around the court area. Around 1,000 police personnel were deployed, along with members of the army, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). Vehicular movement was suspended from Kotwali intersection to the court's main gate and up to Cinema Palace intersection. Only lawyers and concerned officials were allowed to enter the court premises after identity verification.
On 26 November 2024, tension spread across the Chattogram court area after Chinmoy Das was denied bail. His supporters staged protests by surrounding a prison van, prompting police and BGB to use batons and sound grenades to bring the situation under control. During the unrest, lawyer Saiful Islam Alif was hacked and beaten to death.
