Murder trial of college teacher Krishna Kaberi reaches final stage

The trial for the murder of college teacher Krishna Kaberi has reached the final stages.

Kaberi was murdered four years ago at Dhaka’s Mohammadpur. 

The verdict may be announced in January following a short hearing as the lone suspect is currently at large, according to the public prosecutor.

The first investigation officer of the case, Inspector Mahbubur Rahman who was a sub-inspector in Mohammadpur Police Station four years ago, testified at the Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 on Sunday.

Judge Shahed Noor has scheduled the testimony of case investigator Inspector Delowar Hossain.

“Twenty-two witnesses have testified so far. There will be no hearing for the defence as the accused has fled after receiving bail from the High Court,” said Public Prosecutor Advocate Abu Abdullah Bhuiyan.

“A date will be given for the hearing of arguments following the testimony of police officer Delowar and then the court is likely to announce the verdict, may be in the next month.”

The trial of the murder case began on Apr 20 last year after charges were submitted against Zahirul Islam Palash, manager of Haji Ahmed Securities, a brokerage house in Gulshan. 

Krishna Kaberi Mandol, 35, was murdered on Mar 30, 2015, allegedly by Zahirul Islam Palash, a business associate of Kaberi’s husband and BRTA Deputy Director Sitangshu Shekhar Biswas who was also injured in the assault at their home.

Following the incident, her brother-in-law Shudhangshu Shekhar Biswas filed a murder case with Palash as the sole suspect.

Case investigator Inspector Delowar Hossain submitted the charges to the court on May 30, 2016 after a year of investigation.

Sitangshu Shekhar Biswas had opened a BO account through Haji Ahmed Brothers Securities with Tk 800,000, according to the charge sheet.

Zahirul attempted to kill Sitangshu in a bid to grab his money and Kaberi was killed during his attack, according to the charge sheet.

On the day of incident, Zahirul went to his residence on Iqbal Road with cake and candles to wish Sitangshu on his birthday. He fed Sitangshu a spiked fruit juice and tried to hit him with a hammer when Sitangshu lost consciousness. Both Krishna and Sitangshu were hit when she went to stop Zahirul.   

Later, Krishna’s sari as well as the house caught fire from the candle. Krishna succumbed to her burn injuries after she was admitted to the hospital that night. Her daughters were also injured when hit with the hammer.

The accused Zahirul had confessed to the court after he was arrested.