HC reserves blogger Rajib murder review verdict

The High Court has kept reserved its decision on the appeal against a lower court verdict on killing of blogger Ahmed Rajib Haider.

Staff Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 9 Jan 2017, 05:29 PM
Updated : 9 Jan 2017, 06:17 PM

After conclusion of hearing in the appeal, the bench of Justice Jahangir Hossain and Justice Md Jahangir Hossain decided to defer the judgement for another day.

The verdict can be expected any day now.

On Feb 15 2013, blogger and Ganajagaran Mancha activist Ahmed Rajib Haider was hacked to death near his Mirpur residence at the capital.

The murder came within 10 days of the Ganajagaran Mancha's movement demanding the highest punishment to the war criminals.

File Photo

On Dec 31, last year, the court of Judge Sayeed Ahmed of Dhaka’s Speedy Trial Tribunal-3 handed the death sentence to two, and imprisonment of various durations to six others, which included Ansarullah B Team chief Mufti Jashim Uddin Rahmani. 

Of those who received the death sentence, Redwanul Azad Rana, who is absconding, did not appeal, while the others moved the High Court seeking leniency.

Representing the state at the appeal were Deputy Attorney General JahirulHoque Jahir, Additional Attorney General Atikur Hoque Selim and Bilkis Fatema while the defence side was represented by senior lawyer Abdur Reja Khan, Mosharraf Hossain Kajol and Md Ahsan Ullah.

Speaking to bdnews24.com, Jahirul said, "Apart from the death reference verdict, blogger Rajib's father sought increase in the quantum of punishment and had filed a criminal review case. The hearing for both the cases proceeded simultaneously and the verdict will also come together," he said.

"The court has reserved the verdict. Now the verdict could come any day," he further said.

He said that the statements by those convicted were confessional in nature.

As per the Dec 31 fast track court verdict, North South University former student and now a fugitive, Redwanul Azad Rana and Faisal Bin Noim Deep have received the death sentence along with a fine of Tk 30,000.

Among others Hasan Anik has received the life term along with a fine of Tk 10,000. An added year of imprisonment has also been ordered upon failure to pay the fine.

Jail terms of ten years each have been awarded to Nayeem Irad and Nafij Imtiaj along with a fine of Tk 5000. They will also have to serve an additional 6 months on failure to pay the fine, the court had ruled.

Saddam Yasir Mahmud has been awarded 3 years imprisonment, extendable by 3 more months on failing to pay a similar fine of Tk 2000.

Mufti Rahmani has been slapped with 5 years of jail and a fine of Tk 2000. He too shall have to serve an additional 2 months on failing to pay the fine, the court had ruled.

Police have found the Ansarullah Bangla Team responsible for the deaths of several other writers, bloggers and activists of the Ganajagaran Mancha.

The verdict on Rajib's murder is the first among these cases.

Rajib's father Dr Najim Uddin had expressed dissatisfaction at the punishment received by Rahmani after the verdict was passed at the lower court.

Although Rajib's father has sought for more rigorous punishment, the lawyers representing the state have said that the sentencing have been adequate.