Biswajit case in fast-track court

The case involving the sensational murder of Biswajit Das has been transferred to a fast-track tribunal, which currently does not have any judge.

Special Prosecutor of Speedy Trial Tribunal-4 ASM Rafiqul Islam said on Sunday that the court was scheduled to start hearing deposition on Jul 14.

Islam told bdnews24.com he had received a gazette notification on the transfer.

Judge of the tribunal Motaher Hossain was transferred to Dhaka's Special Judge’s Court-3 on Jun 27.

Islam said the government must appoint a judge to start proceedings at the tribunal.

The Speedy Trial Act provides for wrapping up a case within 135 working days.

The court of Metropolitan Sessions Judge Md Zahurul Haque had been hearing the case. On May 26, it framed charges against 21 activists of Jagannath University unit of Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student affiliate of the ruling Awami League.

Eight of them are in custody and the rest are on the run.

The detainees are Rafiqul Islam Shakil, Mahfuzur Rahman Nahid, Emdadul Haque, Rasheduzzaman Shawon, HM Kibria, Quayum Mia Tipu and Golam Mustafa.

Old Dhaka tailor Biswajit Das was hacked to death near Bahadur Shah (Victoria) Park allegedly by BCL activists on Dec 9 during an opposition-sponsored blockade programme.

Investigation Officer Inspector Tajul Islam pressed charges against 21 BCL activists at the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s court on Mar 5.