Journo Balu Murder
Arrest 'real' culprits, demand newsmen
Journalists at a discussion at Khulna Press Club yesterday demanded arrest of 'real' culprits and masterminds behind the murder of Humayun Kabir Balu, editor of local daily Janmabhumi.
They also expressed grave concern at the delay in extended investigation of the explosives case filed after Balu, also a freedom fighter, was killed in a bomb attack in front of his office-cum-residence on Haji Meher Ali Road in Khulna city on June 27 in 2004.
The next day, SI Maruf Hossain lodged two FIRs with Khulna Sadar police station -- one under Section 302 of BPC for murder and the other under Explosive Substances Act. None was named as accused in the FIRs.
All the seven charge-sheeted accused of the murder case -- extremists Abdur Rashid Malitha alias Dada Tapon (later killed in crossfire), Iqbal Hossain Shadhin, Zahid Hossain Sabuj, Rimon, Nazrul Islam alias Khora Nazu, Nazimuddin and Masum Hossain, were acquitted by a court on February 13 in 2008.
Judge Md Abdus Salam Shikder of Khulna Speedy Trial Tribunal observed in his judgement that all the seven accused were acquitted as the allegation against them could not be proved beyond doubt due to weak investigation of the murder case.
On the other hand, the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate as directed by the Speedy Trial Court issued an order on May 10 in 2009 for an extended investigation by Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the case filed under Explosive Substances Act.
The investigation officer of CID, ASP Abdul Kayyum received docket of the case on June 7 in 2009.
Iqbal Hossain Shadhin, Nazrul Islam alias Khora Nazu, Zahid Hossain Sabuj and Masum Hossain were named as accused in the first charge sheet of this case.
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