Hearing on charge sheet now takes place May 9

SAMS Kibria

Former finance minister and front ranking Awami League (AL) leader SAMS Kibria and four others were killed in the bomb blasts.

Sessions Judge Md Azizul Islam, who is also Judge of the Special Tribunal-I, Habiganj, on Tuesday deferred the date on a petition filed by complainant of the case advocate MA Majid Khan, organising secretary of district AL.

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The defence lawyer did not raise any objection during the prayer.

Eight of the accused were produced before the court when the prayer was made. They are Shahid Zia Smriti Gobeshona Parishad central committee chief and former vice-president of Habiganj district BNP (now expelled) AKM Abdul Quaiyum, Gobeshona Parishad's

Habiganj district general secretary Shahed Ali, its Lashkarpur union president Jainal Abedin Momin, Lashkarpur union BNP President Jamir Ali, BNP activists Jainal Abedin Jalal, Tajul Islam and Ayat Ali and Assistant Office Secretary of district JCD Selim Ahmed.

Two other accused -- Muhibur Rahman and Kajol Miah--are absconding.

Tajul Islam, Jainal Abedin Momin and Jamir Ali were seen crying in the courtroom.

The court also fixed May 9 for hearing of bail prayers of Abdul Quaiyum, Jamir Ali, Momin, Tajul Islam and Shahed Ali.

Two cases were filed in connection with the January 27 incident, one for the murders and the other under the Explosives Act.

Investigation Officer of the Explosive Act case, Habiganj Kotwali thana OC Inspector M Shafiuzzaman, submitted charge sheet against the 10 persons on April 20.

The Habiganj Sadar-I Cognisance Court accepted the charge sheet in the murder case but that in the Explosive Act case was sent to the Special Tribunal for hearing.