Reception for murder suspects on bail
The 11 men accused of an opposition leader's murder have been given a grand reception after they were released on bail.
Suspects of Sanaullah Nur Babu's murder were released from Natore Jail on Thursday evening after a High Court order on Mar 6 granted them bail. The victim's family expressed alarm and dismay at the incident.
Local Awami League leaders received them with garlands at the jail gate around 7pm and later took them on a motorcade for a reception where they issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the witnesses.
The accused are: Russel Hosain alias 'Rappu', Mohammad Rezaul Karim alias Rikon, 25; Hashem Mridha, 34; Gautam Ghosh, 22; Abdul Khaleque, 28; 'Habib', 24′ Bablu Molla, 24, Babu Molla, 25, Badsha Mandal, Ashraful Islam and Lutfar Rahman.
A High Court bench of justices Shamsul Huda and Abu Bakar Siddiqui granted their bail on Mar 6 subject to Natore's chief judicial magistrate's satisfaction.
Lawyer of the accused, Arifur Rahman, submitted the bail orders to chief judicial magistrate Mohammad Sharif Uddin on Thursday morning and the bails were granted for Tk 10,000 each.
On Oct 8 last year Baraigram Upazila chairman and BNP leader Sanaullah Noor Babu was chopped and beaten in public when the local BNP brought out a procession as part of the party's month-long protest. Babu later died in the hospital.
At the reception ceremony the prime suspects, district Awami League publication and research secretary Zakir Hossain, said, "We did not kill Babu. But some people in Banpara have held meetings, processions, human chains demanding our punishment."
"Within seven days the Banpara businessmen will have to prove we were involved in this murder. Otherwise, we vow that we will judge them ourselves."
Another accused, Khokon Molla, said, "Not seven days, they will have to prove it within 72 hours. Otherwise actions will be taken against them."He also alleged that the video depicting the incident of the murder was a fake one. "It was doctored by the media. The video shows fake images," he claimed.
BABU'S WIFE ALARMED
Mahua Noor alleged that she had been threatened to withdraw the case."They have threatened that they won't let me out of my house. Those who did not receive bail are roaming around free…I can't think where to seek shelter with my children. Perhaps we'll have to run away from the country," she said.
REACTION ON THE BAILS
Prime witness in the case Baraigram Juba Dal president Sardar Rafique told bdnews24.com, "I am frustrated at the confidence the accused are exuberating. Right after the reception, they called me and said 'your wife will be made a widow just like Babu's. You'll soon find out the consequences of becoming a witness'."
District Awami League president Sajedur Rahman Khan called the reception "a wrong thing to do". "Whoever did it, didn't inform us."
Upazila BNP general secretary Hazrat Ali said it had become a lawless country. "Otherwise how are the murder accused are able to hold a reception while the case is still under trial?"
Criminal Investigation Department (CID) inspector Ahmad Ali is investigating the case. Even Five months after the incident, he has been unable to submit any investigation report to the court.
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Flash Back:
Elected Chairman of northern district Natore Upazilla Mr Sanaullah Nur Babu was murdered in a public place in broad daylight. The above video footage clearly identifies person committing the murder as local Awami League activists under clearly identified leadership of local leader Mr. Zakir. This Mr Zakir has never been arrested after PM Hasina publicly defended him and putting the blame on BNPs's internal conflict.
Out of the other killers, some were arrested only to be released on bail and given reception today.No investigation or charge has yet been made in this murder.
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