Execution of N’ganj 7 murder case verdict demanded
Staff Correspondent :
Lawyers have formed a human chain demanding the immediate execution of the verdict in the infamous Narayanganj seven murder case. The event was presided over by Advocate Sakhawat Hossain Khan, former president of the Narayanganj District Bar Association and convener of Narayanganj Metropolitan BNP.
The human chain was organized on Sunday morning (April 27) at the Narayanganj court premises by the local lawyers’ community, families of the victims, and the people of Narayanganj.
During the event, Advocate Sakhawat Hossain Khan stated, As you all know, the accused in this case are quite influential. For instance, Tareque Sayeed is the son-in-law of Mofazzal Hossain Maya. Others were also backed by influential figures within the Awami League.
They manipulated the case in the higher courts to divert the proceedings. It’s been 5-6 years, yet there has been no final resolution. The case is deliberately being prolonged through appeals.
He further added, “The fall of those fascists began on August 5. Through the student and public uprising, an interim government has been formed. We urge this government to swiftly resolve the case through the Appellate Division within the shortest possible time.
We expect the verdict to be implemented within the next 15 days. Fulfilling this demand would deliver justice to the families of the victims. If justice is served for this incident, it will help prevent similar incidents from occurring again in Bangladesh. We also demand justice for the murder of Taqi and all other killings in Narayanganj.
Those present at the human chain included Advocate Sorkar Humayun Kabir (President of Narayanganj District Bar Association), Advocate HM Anowar Pradhan (General Secretary), former General Secretary Advocate Zakir Hossain, Advocate Abu Al Yusuf Khan Tipu (Member Secretary of Narayanganj Metropolitan BNP), Public Prosecutor Advocate Abul Kalam Azad Zakir, Special Public Prosecutor Advocate Khorshed Alam Molla of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal, senior lawyer Advocate Mahbubur Rahman Masum, Advocate Alada Hossain, Selina Islam Beauty (wife of slain panel mayor Nazrul Islam), along with families of the victims, lawyers, and members of the public.
On April 27, 2014, seven people, including Nazrul Islam (Panel Mayor-2 of Narayanganj City Corporation) and lawyer Chandan Sarker, were abducted. Three days later, their bodies were found floating in the Shitalakkhya River. Following the incident, two cases were filed by Selina Islam Beauty (wife of Nazrul Islam) and Bijoy Kumar Pal (son-in-law of Chandan Sarker).
Eleven months later, on April 8, 2015, the investigation agency, Narayanganj District Detective Branch (DB) Police, submitted identical charge sheets for the two cases.
On January 16, 2017, a Narayanganj court sentenced 35 accused, including former councilor Nur Hossain and former RAB-11 officials Lt. Colonel Tareque Sayeed Mohammad, Major Arif Hossain, and Lt. Commander Masud Rana. Among them, 26 were given death sentences, and 9 were sentenced to various terms of imprisonment.
Later, the High Court upheld the death sentences for 15 out of the 26 convicts, commuting the sentences of 11 others to life imprisonment. The court also upheld the prison sentences for the other 9. The case is currently pending before the Supreme Court.