6 chargesheeted

Terming the murder as non-political and result of a land dispute, Uzirpur Thana Sub-inspector Muhammad Ali submitted the chargesheet on Thursday.

The charge-sheeted accused are : Goutam Howlader, Bijoy Howlader, Shudhanshu Mistri, Nehar Bagchi, Shekhor Howlader and Kalipada alias Dilip Chandra Biswas, according to police sources.

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All the accused are victim's relatives and neighbours.

Earlier, police arrested Kalipada alias Dilip Chandra Biswas, Nabin Howlader and Alim Howlader as suspects.

But Nabin and Alim were not included in the charge sheet. Five other charge-sheeted accused are absconding. Twenty- five persons including six eye-witnesses were named as witnesses of the case.

An investigation revealed, accused Goutam and Bijoy had a land dispute with Dr Hiralal's brother Nikhil Howlader.

As Hiralal stood beside Nihkil strongly against his enemy, he fell in wrath of Goutam and Bijoy. So, they planned to kill him. Accordingly, assassins ambushed him at a place near Nittananda Bazaar at night on March 19, 2004 and gunned down him there. At that time Hiralal was on way to his home from Nittananda Bazaar.

Victim's younger brother Shankar Howlader lodged a murder with Uzirpur police station.

Initially, Sarbahara men were blamed for the murder which delayed and diverted the investigation.