Justice still elusive in Taqi murder case after 12 years

Twelve years after the brutal murder of Tanvir Muhammad Taqi, his family continues to seek justice as delays persist in the submission of the charge sheet.

"For the past 11 years, the murder case proceedings were stopped by the directives of Sheikh Hasina. After the fall of the Awami League government on 5 August last year, we were hopeful that the case would pick up speed again," said Rafiur Rabbi, Taqi's father, who has been fighting for justice for 12 long years.

"Six new arrests have been made, and one person has given a confessional statement. However, shortly after, the progress of the case seemed to slow down once more. We hope that the investigating agency will quickly submit the charge sheet and help move the trial forward," he added.

Taqi, a promising teenager, went missing from Shaista Khan Road in Narayanganj on 6 March 2013. His mutilated body was found two days later in the Kumudini Canal near the Shitalakshya River. Despite repeated demands for justice, the investigating agency has yet to submit a charge sheet.

In 2013, one of the people arrested in the case, Sultan Shawkat Bhromor, gave a confessional statement under Section 164. Bhromor, an associate of Azmeri Osman, the nephew of former AL lawmaker Shamim Osman, said that Taqi was abducted and murdered on Azmeri Osman's orders.

The following year, then-additional director general of RAB, Ziaul Ahsan, presented a draft charge sheet to journalists, promising swift legal action. However, ten years have passed since then, and no charge sheet has been filed.

After 5 August, several individuals were arrested in connection with the case, including Abdullah Al Mamun, Shafayet Hossain Shipon, Iyar Mohammad Parvez, Mamun Mia, and Azmeri Osman's driver, Jamshed Sheikh. However, despite these arrests, the trial has yet to begin.

For the past 12 years, Taqi's father and his supporters have held a monthly candlelight vigil and protest on the 8th, demanding the start of the trial. Through a platform, "Taqi Mancha for the Eradication of Terrorism," he has continued his fight for justice and the punishment of the perpetrators.

Despite some recent progress in the case after 5 August, Taqi's father remains committed to the cause and vows to keep protesting until justice is fully served and the accused are punished.

Taqi's mother, Raunak Rehana, expressed her frustration, saying, "I have not received justice for my son's murder in the past 12 years. I ask the current government to start the trial before its term ends."

Pradip Ghosh Babu, the lawyer representing the plaintiff, said, "After 5 August, we urged the interim government to prioritise this case and start the trial. However, the charge sheet has not been submitted yet. So far, hearing dates have been set 81 times, and we don't want this delay to continue any longer."

Meanwhile, RAB-11 Commander HM Sajjad Hossain assured that the investigation is being treated with due importance. 

"We are in contact with Taqi's father, and we've gathered some information from the newly arrested individuals. However, we cannot share all the details right now. Once the investigation is complete, the charge sheet will be submitted to the court."