The New Nation - Internet Edition

Court Correspondent

In response to a time petition seeking adjournment of hearing on charge framing for the 9th time in the two cases, filed in connection with the August 21 grenade attack, the Judge of Speedy Trial Tribunal 1 of Dhaka yesterday refixed October 23 for hearing.

A group of Awami League supported lawyers led by Advocate Syed Rezaur Rahman had earlier been allowed by the Ministry of Law to cooperate with the Special Public Prosecutor of the Tribunal conducting the cases. As they are yet to be ready, they ought time yesterday for the third time to adjourn the hearing. Tribunal Judge Md Masdar Hossain allowed the time petition.

The Judge has meanwhile prepared the written charge on which adequate hearing will be held in due course.

The case was filed for the grenade attack on an Awami League rally on Bangabandhu Avenue on August 21, 2004. The attack left 23 people dead and scores injured.

Earlier on October 14, the Judge rejecting a petition of former Deputy Minister and BNP lawmaker detained Abdus Salam Pintu, said proceedings of the two cases will continue separately as the cases were filed on different charges-murder and grenade explosion.

On June 11, Assistant Superintendent of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Fazlul Kabir also Invetigation Officer (IO) of the cases, submitted the charge sheets to the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court of Dhaka.

Of the accused, Pintu, Mufti Hannan, his brother Mohibullah alias Mafizur Rahman and IO others are in jail. They were brought to the court from different jails while accused Jewel who has been freed on bail appeared before the court.

Other eight accuseds: Pintu's brother Moulana Tajuddin, Liton, Anisul Mursalin, Mahibul Muttakin, Iqbal, Moulana Abu Bakr alias Selim Howlader, Jahangir Alam Badar and Khalilur Rahman, are on the run.

Earlier on October 14, Moulana Abu Sayeed alias Dr Zafar submitted a petition for retraction of the confessional statement he made to a Magistrate in the case earlier.