Rangpur: The Rangpur Bar Association (RBA) has decided not to temporarily represent the accused in the case involving the murder of four members of the family of retired schoolteacher Ganapati Chakraborty Jewel. The association made this decision as a protest against the murders.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, RBA General Secretary Advocate Aftab Uddin Ahmed announced the association's decision during a press conference at the RBA auditorium. Ahmed emphasized that the decision was made after thorough discussion and aims to convey that the notion of lawyers supporting crimes for monetary gain is incorrect.
RBA President Advocate Shahed Kamal Ibne Khatib clarified that even without a lawyer, the state appoints legal representation for the accused in capital punishment cases to ensure justice. He stated that the RBA has temporarily refrained from providing support but may reconsider if the investigation appears flawed.
Advocate Aftab Uddin Ahmed noted that initial statements from the accused, given under Section 164, suggest their involvement. He mentioned that the police's swift action and information from journalists indicate that the investigation is progressing well and stressed that the guilty should face punishment.
Ahmed also urged against politicizing the case, emphasizing that it is inappropriate to convict or prosecute anyone until the investigation is complete. Present at the press conference were RBA Member and Administrator of Rangpur City Corporation Advocate Mahfuz Un Nabi Don, RBA Religion and Social Welfare Affairs Secretary Advocate Kawsar Ali, and other association leaders.
The case involves the murders of Ganapati Chakraborty Jewel, his wife Pritilata Chakraborty Bhola, daughter Agami Chakraborty Prarthi, and son Ayush Chakraborty Priyam. Their decomposed bodies were discovered at their home, leading to a murder case filed by Ganapati's elder brother, Gopinath Chakraborty, against unknown assailants.
Rangpur Metropolitan Police's Detective Branch has taken over the investigation. Inspector Md Zeenat Ali, the Detective Branch Officer-in-Charge, is now overseeing the case. Two suspects, Mugdha Das and Siddhartha Das, have been arrested and have given confessional statements regarding the murders.