Patradut Editor Murder
Trial to resume now in Satkhira court
Trial of daily Patradut editor S M Ala Uddin murder case will resume in the District and Sessions judge's court in Satkhira as the High Court on Monday last rejected a prayer by the chargesheeted accused for its trial in any court in the country other than in Satkhira.
Ala Uddin was shot dead by assailants at his office at Pransayer in the town on June 19, 1996.
Police arrested Awami Juba League activist Saiful Islam after five days of the incident.
Investigation officer (IO) submitted charge sheet to a magistrate court against 10 accused on May 5, 1997 after over 11 months' investigation.
The accused are Saiful Islam, Abdus Sabur, Khalilullah Jhharu, Saifullah Kislu, Momin Ullah Mohon, Abdur Rouf, Abul Kalam, Eskendar Mirza, Atiar Rahman and Safiur Rahman.
Following submission of the charge sheet, five of the accused submitted a petition to the High Court seeking quashment of the case. The High Court quashed the case in 1998. Since then the case remained suspended.
On an appeal from the government, the Supreme Court rejected the quashment order on May 5, clearing the way for resuming the trial 11 years after the incident.
The District and Sessions Judge's court resumed trial proceedings and fixed June 5 for hearing and asked the accused to appear before it.
As the court resumed proceeding on June 5, the accused produced a High Court order staying trial of the case till August 8. The order was vacated on Monday following a government appeal.
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