Trial incomplete after 20 years

The trial of journalist RM Saiful Alam Mukul murder in Jessore is yet to be completed, two decades after the brutal killing.

The journalists in Jessore yesterday observed the 20th death anniversary of Mukul, former editor of Dainik Runner, through different programmes including mourning procession, placing of floral wreaths at the martyr's grave, discussions and milad mahfil.

Criminals killed Saiful Alam Mukul at Char Khambar More while he was going to his house at Bejpara from Jessore town on the night of August 30 in 1998, goes the statement of the case filed by Mukul's wife Hafiza Akter Shirin the following day.

None was mentioned as accused in the murder case filed with Kotwali Police Station.

The investigation officer (IO), the then ASP of Criminal Investigation Department's (CID) Jessore zone Dulal Uddin Akhond on April 23 in 1999 submitted a charge sheet to the court accusing 22 people including BNP leader former minister Tariqul Islam.

At one stage the proceedings of the case got stalled due to legal complications.

In 2005 a special bench of the High Court revived the murder case and ordered extended investigation.

On December 21 that year CID officer Mawla Baksh added two new names and submitted a supplementary charge sheet to the court.

On June 15 in 2006, Second Additional District and Sessions Judge's Court in Jessore framed charge in Mukul murder case against 22 people.

The then minister Tariqul Islam and another accused named Rupam were acquitted.

Deposition of 25 witnesses in the case was completed in the court in 2010.

The proceedings of Mukul murder case again slowed down after Dainik Ittefaq journalist Farazi Ajmal Hossain appealed to a High Court bench for his acquittal from the case, court sources said.

Later Jessore Second Additional District and Session's Judge's Court dropped the name of Farazi from the case and started the trial proceedings again.

“The trial process in Mukul murder case is at the last phase. The hearing of the case will start soon,” said Public Prosecutor Rafiqul Islam Pitu.