Gopibagh six-murder case: Probe report still pending after 12 years, 147 extensions

Twelve years after six people were killed at a house in Gopibagh in the capital, the investigation report in the case has yet to be submitted, despite the court granting around 147 extensions for filing it.

The murders took place on this day (21 December) in 2013 at the residence of Lutfar Rahman Faruk, a self-proclaimed pir.

Members of the victims' families have expressed anger over the prolonged delay, while investigators have been unable to say when the probe will be completed.

Over the years, the case has been handled by several agencies, including the local police, the Detective Branch and the Counter Terrorism Unit.

It is now being investigated by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

The last deadline for submitting the report was 30 November.

On that day, however, the investigating officer, Inspector HM Rezwanul Islam of Dhaka Metro CID (East Division), failed to place the report before the court.

As a result, Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Jamshed Alam set 14 January as the next date.

Asked about the progress, Rezwanul Islam said, "The case is under investigation. It is an old incident. I am looking into the matter. I have called the plaintiff and recorded statements. The investigation will take a little more time."

He added that efforts were being made to submit the report as soon as possible.

Abdullah Al Faruk, son of Lutfar Rahman Faruk, said repeated changes of investigators had stalled the case.

"Investigating officers come and go, but the report is not submitted. Time passes, and the case keeps changing hands. Twelve years have passed, yet it has not ended," he said.

He added, "I lost my father and my brother. The four others who were killed were also like brothers to us. Our family has been shattered. Still, I hope there will be a fair investigation and the guilty will be punished. Even after so many years, I have not lost hope."

Faruk also said uncertainty around the case had added to their frustration.

"Earlier, we were told a charge sheet would be submitted. Now I hear there were no militants at all. I do not know what to say. But our hope for justice remains," he said.

Defence lawyer Mohammad Zakir Hossain, who represents accused Ziaul Islam and Al Amin, said the failure to submit the charge sheet was wasting the court's time.

"We also want the report to be submitted quickly. Because the case has been pending for so long, both the accused and the state are being financially affected," he said.

He claimed his clients were taken on remand for six days in two phases but no information was recovered.

"They were implicated because of previous militancy cases, in which they were later proven innocent. I hope they will be acquitted in this case as well," he said.

The lawyer added that if the investigation was handed to another agency, it might progress faster.

Lawyers for other accused said the long delay was causing harassment to all defendants.

They said the case should either proceed to trial or be concluded, as keeping it pending for years was harmful to both sides.

According to the first information report, Lutfar Rahman Faruk, who claimed to be a pir, had many followers who regularly visited his house.

He used to present himself as a chief commander of Imam Mahdi. The FIR states that he had faced earlier attacks in Bibir Bagicha, Gendaria and Gopibagh.

On 21 December 2013, before Maghrib prayers, 10 to 12 people came to his house, saying they wanted to learn about religious matters.

They were allowed into the darbar room, and a disciple was sent to arrange food.

Around 6pm, Faruk, his eldest son Sarwar Islam Faruk, and disciples Shahin, Mojibur, Monjurul Alam and Rasel Bhuiyan were killed after being tied with tape and having their throats slit with sharp weapons.

Following the incident, Abdullah Al Faruk filed the murder case with Wari Police Station.

So far, 13 people have been arrested in the case.

They are Hadisur Rahman Sagar, Zahidul Islam, Mamunur Rashid Ripon, Abdul Gaffar, Tariqul Islam, Jahangir Hossain, Rafiqul Islam, Syed Ziaul Islam alias Jitu alias Nirob alias Niyon alias Himu, Abu Raihan alias Mahmud alias A Hadi, Abdullah Al Tasnim, Md Golam Sarwar, Md Al Amin and Ajmir Amit. All the accused are currently on bail.