Absence of PWs
Trial of Patradut editor murder case not held
Trial of the case for murder of daily Patradut editor S M Ala Uddin was not held yesterday as the prosecution witness (PW) could not be produced in the court.
The trial of the case resumed in July this year by recording the statement of prosecution witness Abdur Razzak, after 15 years of the gruesome murder.
The court so far has recorded the statements of 8 out of the 38 prosecution witnesses.
Earlier judge Obaidus Sobhan of Satkhira District and Sessions Judge's Court fixed April 1 for recording the statement of other PWs of the case.
As soon as the court resumed its proceeding, the prosecution lawyer submitted a petition to cancel the bail of the accused Abdus Sabur and Khalilullah Jhharu as they allegedly threatened the complainant of the case.
After hearing, the court fixed May 8 for hearing of the petition and also recording the statements of the prosecution witnesses.
Daily Patradut editor SM Ala Uddin was shot dead by assailants at the office of the daily at Pransayer in the town on June 19 in 1996.
Police arrested an Awami Jubo League activist and also an alleged member of the killing squad Saiful Islam after five days of the incident disclosed the names of the accused.
The investigation officer (IO) in the case submitted charge sheet against 10 accused on May 5 in 1997.
The trial was delayed as five accused submitted a petition to the High Court seeking quashment. The High Court accepted the petitioners' prayer and quashed the case in 1998.
Later on an appeal from the government, the Supreme Court rejected the quashment order of the HC and asked the lower court to resume the trial on March 11 in 1999.
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