Govt served legal notice seeking removal of PP for not allowing journos in courtroom

A Supreme Court lawyer yesterday served a legal notice seeking speedy trial of Narayanganj seven-murder case and withdrawal of the public prosecutor who allegedly made a Narayanganj courtroom off limits to journalists during recording of testimonies in the case which began on February 29.

Advocate Eunus Ali Akond in the notice requested the government to establish a speedy trial tribunal in 72 hours for a quick trial of the case and withdraw Public Prosecutor Wajed Ali Khokon within the period.

In the notice, the lawyer said the incident of seven-murder took place in Narayanganj on April 27, 2014, but the trial has not yet been ended.

It said keeping journalists out of the courtroom in the case is "unconstitutional".

Quoting article 35 (3) of the constitution, it said, "Every person accused of a criminal offence shall have the right to a speedy and public trial by an independent and impartial court or tribunal established by law."

Eunus said if a speedy tribunal is not constituted and the public prosecutor of Narayanganj Sessions Judge's Court, where the seven-murder case is pending, is not withdrawn within 72 hours, he will file a writ petition with the High Court.

Law secretary and solicitor of the law ministry have been made respondent to the notice.

Meanwhile, Law Minister Anisul Huq on Tuesday night told The Daily Star that his ministry has not taken any action against Wajed Ali Khokon, as the ministry did not receive any official complaint against him.

OUR Narayanganj correspondent reports: Hearing of an arms case against Nur Hossain, also the prime accused in the seven-murder case, was yesterday deferred to April 13 as none of the witnesses appeared in the court.

Asked why the witnesses did not appear at the court, additional public prosecutor KM Fazlur Rahman said the 10-12 witnesses probably were not aware of the hearing as the summon orders might not have been sent to them in a proper way.

Fazlur said police recovered several firearms, bullets and sharp weapons from Nur Hossain's Siddhirganj house and later three cases were filed against him for possessing the arms and not returning the weapons after their licenses were revoked as he fled to India following the seven murders.