Mitford murder: Trial begins against 21 accused
Acting Judge Mosaddek Minhaj of the First Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court of Dhaka passed the order at noon and fixed 19 July for recording witness testimonies.
A Dhaka court today (12 July) ordered the commencement of the trial against 21 people by framing charges in the case over the murder of scrap trader Lal Chand alias Sohag, who was killed in front of Sir Salimullah Medical College Mitford Hospital in Old Dhaka in July last year.
Acting Judge Mosaddek Minhaj of the First Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court of Dhaka passed the order at noon and fixed 19 July for recording witness testimonies.
ASM Shahadat Ali, bench assistant of the court, confirmed the development.
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The accused whose trial has begun are Md Mahmud Hasan Mahin alias Mahmudul Hasan, Md Tareq Rahman Robin, Md Titon Gazi, Md Alamgir, Md Monir alias Lomba Monir, Md Sajib Bepari, Md Nanu Kazi, Md Rizwan Uddin alias Abhijit Basu, Md Johirul Islam, Sagar, Md Ruman Bepari, Md Abir Hossain, Md Parvez, Md Johirul alias Jalil, Md Imran, Md Sharafat alias Shafiul Islam, Md Ziauddin Rajib, Md Hossain Choukider, Md Sarwar Hossain Titu, Md Mongal Miah alias Monir Hossain and Apu Das.
Among them, the first 10 accused are in jail, the next three are on bail granted by the High Court, and the remaining eight are absconding.
During the hearing, defence lawyers sought the acquittal of the accused, while the prosecution opposed the petitions.
After hearing both sides, the court rejected the acquittal petitions and framed charges. The accused present in court pleaded not guilty and sought justice.
According to the case, Sohag was attacked with stones and machetes by a group of people on the road near Mitford Hospital at around 6pm on 9 July and was killed.
The following day, his elder sister, Manjuara Begum, filed a murder case with Kotwali Police Station against 19 named accused and 15 to 20 unidentified individuals.
On 8 December, investigating officer Md Moniruzzaman of Shahbagh Police Station submitted a charge sheet against 21 people and recommended the acquittal of 10 others due to a lack of evidence.
The court later ordered a reinvestigation after identifying flaws in the investigation.
Following the reinvestigation, Shahbagh Police Station Inspector Shah Md Faisal Ahmed submitted a supplementary charge sheet against the same 21 accused on 10 May this year.
