Investigators yet to file report on Narayanganj seven murders

An administrative committee investigating the abduction and murder of seven men in Narayanganj is yet to wrap up the enquiry.

The committee, formed at the High Court's orders, is unsure when the probe report will be ready although its chief is hopeful of filing it ‘soon’.

A member secretary of the panel has blamed lack of coordination between committee members for the delay.

Seven men, including former Narayanganj City councillor Nazrul Islam and senior lawyer Chandan Kumar Sarker, were abducted on Apr 27 last year. Their bodies were found floating in the Shitalakhyya River several days later.

Nazrul’s family subsequently filed a case accusing local ruling Awami League leader Nur Hossain. They alleged Nur had bribed RAB Tk 60 million to carry out the abduction and murders.

The government formed an investigation committee at the High Court's order on May 7 with then Additional Secretary Shahjahan Ali Molla as its chief.

It recorded testimonies of over 400 people, including Narayanganj Mayor Selina Hayat Ivy, Awami League MP AKM Shamim Osman, then RAB DG Mokhlesur Rahman and Additional DG Col Ziaul Ahsan.

Shahjahan was later made secretary to the PSC but the High Court on Dec 10 ordered him to continue as the committee chief.

Speaking to bdnews24.com, committee member secretary Abul Kashem Mohiuddin claimed 98 percent of the work was complete.

"We can't prepare the report because of lack of coordination among our members," he said on Thursday.

The committee was ordered to see if the administration or security forces were involved with the crimes and whether there was any negligence on their part.

Prime accused Nur Hossain is currently in Indian police custody after his arrest last year in Kolkata. The government is trying to bring him back to stand trial at home.

Mohiuddin said they would file their report without Nur's testimony.

"We hope to submit our report within this month," he added.

Committee chief Shahjahan Ali brushed aside Mohiuddin's allegation but avoided a direct reply on when their report would see light.

"We'll try to submit it quickly," he told bdnews24.com on Thursday.