Ready to execute Mufti Hannan after receiving government order, says IG Prisons

Jail authorities say they are prepared to carry out the death sentences of Harkat-ul Jihad al-Islami (HuJI) chief Mufti Hannan and his two accomplices as soon as they get the government order.

Senior Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 22 March 2017, 07:44 AM
Updated : 22 March 2017, 07:44 AM

"We are yet to receive the executive order to carry out the death sentences. The prison authorities, however, are always ready for the execution," Inspector General of Prisons Brig Gen Syed Iftekhar Uddin told a media briefing on Wednesday.

Mufti Hannan and two other HuJI activists, Sharif Shahedul Alam alias Bipul and Delwar Hossain alias Ripon have been awarded the death penalty for the 2004 grenade attack on the then UK envoy in Sylhet.

HuJI leader Mufti Hannan and Bipul are being kept at the Kashimpur High Security Prison in Gazipur while Ripon is lodged at the Sylhet Central Jail.

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court published the verdict, rejecting their petitions for review of their sentences, which was read out to them on Wednesday.

After losing the last legal option, the three are now left with the only option of seeking presidential clemency by admitting guilt.

Kashimpur prison authorities said Mufti Hannan and Bipul hinted at seeking clemency while convict Ripon told Sylhet jail officials that he will give a decision later.

According to the jail code, they will now get seven days to petition for pardon.

If the president rejects their pleas, the government will fix a date and prison authorities will start the process to execute the verdict.

In May 2004, then British High Commissioner Anwar Choudhury came under a grenade attack while coming out of the Hazrat Shahjalal’s shrine in his hometown Sylhet.

Police's Assistant Sub-inspector Kamal Uddin died instantly. Constable Rubel Ahmed and one Habil Miah succumbed to their injuries in a hospital later.

The envoy was injured along with nearly 40 employees of the Sylhet district administration.

In December last year, the Appellate Division upheld their death sentences.

The trial court had sentenced two others to life imprisonment, who moved the High Court but failed to secure a verdict in their favour. Their sentences are upheld as they did not challenge it at the Appellate Division.