Trial of 11 indicted 'militants' begins

A Dhaka court yesterday started its trial against 11 alleged militants over killing of eight people during a bank heist in Ashulia last year.

Judge SM Kuddus Zaman of District and Sessions Judge's Court recorded statements of Sub-inspector Faridul Hassan, the first prosecution witness and also the complainant of the case. The court fixed February 7 for the next hearing after the defence lawyers cross-examined the witness. 

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Ten of the accused, now in jail, were produced before the court while the other is absconding.

According to the charge sheet, all the accused are alleged members of banned militant outfits Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) and Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB).

In broad daylight on April 21 last year, robbers shot eight people dead and injured several others in Bangladesh Commerce Bank Ltd in Ashulia, outside the capital, before leaving with Tk 35 lakh. A mob beat one robber to death while another victim of the robbery succumbed to injuries later.

On December 1 last year, Ashulia police submitted two charge sheets -- one for the killings and robbery, and the other for possessing explosives.      

The case lodged for possessing explosives is pending with another Dhaka court.