Dhaka: The High Court (HC) today cancelled an order of the Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 of Dhaka, which had previously relieved 15 accused, including two former lawmakers, in the Malibagh Killing Case. A bench comprising Justice Mustafizur Rahman and Justice Md Sagir Hossain issued the directive, mandating the accused to surrender immediately before the District and Sessions Judge Court. According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the HC order followed a hearing on a petition filed by Yunus Mridha, the then president of BNP Khilgaon thana unit and the original complainant in the case. The incident dates back to February 13, 2001, when three BNP activists were killed and several others injured during an attack on a BNP procession led by central leader Mirza Abbas. The next day, major national dailies published images showing known criminals Dulal and Khorshed Alam brandishing firearms during the attack. Subsequently, Yunus Mridha registered a case, and the police filed a charge sheet against 24 individuals, includi ng former Awami League lawmakers Dr. Iqbal and Nurunnabi Chowdhury Shayon. However, on August 17, 2009, the home ministry recommended omitting some names from the charge sheet. The Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 of Dhaka acted on this recommendation and, after hearings on August 26 and September 29, 2010, discharged the 15 accused, while the trial for the remaining continued. Advocate Aminul Islam, representing the plaintiff, stated that the petition sought the annulment of the Special Tribunal-1 order, as it failed to provide a rationale for dropping the names from the charge sheet. The court has now instructed the trial court to issue arrest warrants against the 15 individuals if they fail to surrender as directed. The trial will proceed against all accused, according to Aminul Islam.
