CID asked to take over trader Selim murder case

State Minister for Home Lutfozzaman Babar gave the directive at the 36th review meeting of the monitoring cell on sensitive cases yesterday.

He also reprimanded Kotowali police for their inaction and not filing any case in connection with abduction and killing of Rezaul Karim Selim, a wristwatch trader.

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The meeting was told that Selim was abducted and killed over a business dispute but the accused influenced the police not to file any case. He was abducted from Kotowali thana area. Two of his business partners went into hiding after the killing.

The victim's family did not give any clue to the police for fear of reprisals, meeting sources said.

Prior to the meeting held at the home ministry's conference room, Home Minister Altaf Hossain Choudhury called the CID investigators to his office and asked them to arrest the attackers of prominent writer Humayun Azad immediately.

The review meeting also discussed the incident of attack on Humayun Azad.

Investigation officials told the monitoring cell that they would question Azad as soon as he recovers, sources said.

A total of nine sensational cases came up for discussion. Two new cases -- killing of Dhanamondi Sporting Club president Khairul Anwar Piaru and abduction and killing of Fatema Khatun Kohinoor at Pallabi -- were listed as sensational cases yesterday.

"We have examined a number of cases and instructed the investigators to submit chargesheet soon," Babar told the journalists after the meeting.

The progress in journalist Manik Saha murder case is very well, he said.

He also said that another cell at the law ministry was monitoring the cases pending at the High Court.

The meeting asked the investigation officer of Piaru murder case to arrest cook of Dhanmondi Sporting Club to find more clues.

The cook was arrested earlier but he was released on pressure from the high-ups, meeting sources said.

The cell is currently handling 238 sensitive cases, 48 of which were disposed of.

There are 106 sensitive cases under trial. Of them, 29 cases were transferred to Speedy Trial Tribunal.

Home Secretary Omar Farooq, Inspector General of Police Shahudul Haque and other high officials were present in the meeting presided over by Lutfozzaman Babar.