Barguna Rifat Murder: Charge framing hearing of 10 accused Jan 1

A Barguna court yesterday fixed January 1 for hearing on charge framing against 10 of the accused, above the legal age of 18, in the sensational Rifat Sharif murder case.

Out of the total 24 accused in the murder case, 14 are juveniles and they are being tried at Barguna juveniles court. They are currently in Jashore juvenile correction facility.

Judge Md Asaduzzaman of the Barguna District and Sessions Judge’s Court fixed the date around 10:00am after hearing concluding statements from the prosecution and the defence.

Advocate Mojibul Haq Kislu, lawyer for the prosecution, said the court fixed the new date for further hearing and also for the delivery of order in this regard.

Earlier, on November 18, the Barguna juveniles court fixed January 8 for hearing on charge framing against the 14 juveniles accused in the case.

The 10 accused of legal age are Rakibul Hasan Rifat Faraje, 23; Al Kaiyum alias Rabbi Akon, 21; Mohiminul Sifat, 19; Rejwan Ali Khan alias Tiktok Redoy, 22; Md Hasan, 19; Md Musa, 22; Aysha Siddika Minni, 19; Rafiul Islam Rabbi, 20; Md Sagor, 19; and Kamrul Islam Saimun, 21.

Out of them, eight were brought to the courtroom yesterday from Barguna jail. Slain Rifat Sharif’s wife Aysha Siddika Minni, who is now on bail, came to the court with her father. Arrest warrant was issued for Md Musa as he is still absconding. 

The same court also rejected bail prayers of two accused -- Mohiminul Islam Sifat, 19 and Md Sagor, 19 -- after hearing arguments from both sides, the lawyer added.

On June 26, Rifat Sharif, 25, an internet service provider, was hacked to death in broad daylight in front of his wife Minni in Barguna town.

In a CCTV footage, Minni was seen screaming and trying to save her husband from the attackers.

Police arrested Minni on July 16. The following day, a Barguna court placed her on a five-day remand. Three days later, the court recorded her statement under section 164.

On August 29, the High Court granted bail to Minni on conditions that she would not speak with the media and she would remain in the custody of her father.

On September 1, police pressed charges against Minni and 23 others for their alleged involvement in the murder of Rifat Sharif. Of the accused, 10 are over the legal age of 18 while 14 are juveniles.

The name of the prime accused Sabbir Hossain Nayan alias Nayan Bond was excluded from the charges as he was killed in a “gunfight” on July 2, six days after Rifat Sharif was murdered.