Members of the probe committee, formed by Chattogram District Bar Association (CDBA) to investigate the vandalism, clashes and murder of the lawyer Saiful Islam Alif in Chattogram court premises, recommended judicial probe seeking exemption from the probe committee.

The committee's convener, former metropolitan public prosecutor (PP) and lawyer Abdus Sattar, made this recommendation to the CDBA leaders last Thursday and requested to be relieved from the probe committee.

Earlier, four other members, including the committee's secretary, had also sought exemption from the committee.

Abdus Sattar told The Daily Star, "The CDBA formed the five-member probe committee to investigate the clashes, vandalism, and murder incident centring the bail hearing of former ISKCON leader Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, also the spokesperson for Sammilita Sanatani Jagaran Jote."

"As the whole incident is sensational and much-talked across the world, I have recommended a judicial probe by a judicial judge or district judge for the sake of fair investigation, avoiding controversy, and ensuring justice. Lawyers cannot properly investigate such an incident as it may involve police officers, administrative personnel, and court officials," he said.

CDBA Secretary Ashraf Hossain Chowdhury told journalists that the head of the investigation committee and its four other members have sought to be relieved from committee and have made various recommendations.

A decision on the next steps will be taken at the association's meeting tomorrow.