AL leader Manzurul Imam murder case uncertain

He was killed allegedly by outlaws on August 25 in 2003.

Fate of the sensational murder case is now uncertain due to alleged non cooperation of complainants Abdullah AL Mamun, Abdullah AL Rumi and Meherunnesa, who are sons and wife of the slain AL leader, court sources said.

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When contacted, complainant and prosecution witnesses told this correspondent that they are feeling insecure to appear before the court for deposition.

To mark his death anniversary, Khulna district and city Awami League brought out a mourning procession in the city, followed by placing wreathes at his portrait at the spot where he was killed. AL leaders also offered fateha at his grave, held a condolence meeting and a Milad Mehfil at his residence and distributed food among the poor in every ward in the city.

Advocate Manjurul Imam was killed in a bomb attack on the morning of August 25 in 2003 near his residence at Shamsur Rahman Road in city.

His aide Advocate Bijon Bihari Mondol and rickshaw driver Ali Akbar were also killed in the incident.

Abdullah Al Mamun, eldest son of the slain AL leader, filed an FIR with Khulna thana. The case was first investigated by SI Abu Zahid Shaikh of Khulna thana. Later, Inspector Shajahan Ali of Detective Branch of Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP) was made the IO. He submitted charge sheet to court on March 4 last year, naming four extremists as accused. They are Shukur Ali, Shaikh Abdul Baki alias Ripon, Ganesh Banarjee and Imam Sarder.

Accused Imam Sardar was killed in crossfire in June last year. Ganesh Banerjee is absconding. Accused Ripon is on bail, while Shukuz Ali is in Jail.

Trial of the case began on November 1 last year in the court of Additional District and Sessions Judge where charge against the accused was framed.

Wednesday was the 9th working day for the trial. But the date has been shifted to October 10 as the complainant and three prosecution witnesses did not turn up for deposition.

The court issued warrants of arrest against the prosecution witnesses for failing to appear for deposition in the last nine months.

According to OC Iqbal Hossain of Sadar thana, the three witnesses could not be produced before court on Wednesday as they were not found in their house.