Hearing on the freedom fighter Faruk Ahmed murder case was deferred again as the main accused, Awami League lawmaker Amanur Rahman Khan Rana, could not be produced before the court yesterday because of his illness.

Judge Abul Mansur Miah of the First Additional District and Sessions Judge's Court in Tangail fixed January 22 for the next hearing to record testimonies of the witnesses, said Additional Public Prosecutor Monirul Islam Khan.

Senior Jail Superintendent of Dhaka Central Jail in Keraniganj Jahangir Kabir sent a letter to the court saying that the lawmaker could not appear before the court as he was ill, Monirul said.

Amanur, the lawmaker from Tangail-3 (Ghatail), is undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital after his fistula operation. He is currently unable to travel and needs two months rest, according to the medical certificate submitted to the jail authorities by ANM Nur-e-Azam, assistant registrar of surgery department at the hospital, he said. 

On September 6, the court framed charges against Rana and 13 others and fixed October 18 for the hearing on the case. But the court deferred it on that day as Rana could not be produced before the court as he was ill. The hearing was deferred again on November 1 on the same grounds.

Monirul said three witnesses -- plaintiff of the case Faruk's wife Nahar Ahmed, son Sumon Mazid and daughter Farzana Ahmed -- were present at the court yesterday for giving their depositions.

The bullet-hit body of district AL leader Faruk was found near his College Para house in Tangail town on January 18, 2013. 

Four of the 14 accused, including Rana, are in jail while three are on bail. Seven others, including three of Rana's brothers, are still on the run.