File 7-murder chargesheet by Jan 22: Court

Seven months after the abduction and killing of seven men in Narayanganj, a court has ordered the investigation officer to file a chargesheet within Jan 22 next year.

Monday's order came during a hearing on the case after the state notified the court of the delay.

Narayanganj District Bar Association President Shakhawat Hossain told bdnews24.com that the court set the deadline based on their plea.

Seven men, including former Narayanganj city councillor Nazrul Islam and senior lawyer Chandan Kumar Sarkar, were abducted on Apr 27.

Their bloated bodies were found floating on the Shitalakhyya River several days later.

Islam's in-laws alleged RAB had carried out the crime in exchange for a Tk 60 million bribe from the key accused, former Awami League leader Nur Hossain.

Three RAB officers, including then RAB-11 commander Tarek Sayed Mohammad, son-in-law of minister Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya, were subsequently retired and arrested.

Two cases were filed over the incident and, so far, 24 men including former RAB officers, have been arrested.

Police produced the 24 men in court but did not cuff the ex-RAB trio.

When the prosecution pointed it out, the court said it would issue an order on the matter on the next hearing date, Jan 22.

So far, 12 people, including the former RAB officers, have reportedly issued confessional statements. Fourteen people have testified in the cases.

RAB filed its internal probe report on alleged involvement of its officials to the attorney general's office on Nov 23 for submission in court.

Several newspapers reported quoting sources that the probe had found the trio’s involvement in the crime.