Prof Yunus murder case goes to speedy tribunal

Prof Muhammad Yunus

Nearly four and a half years after the killing of Rajshahi University (RU) teacher Prof Muhammad Yunus, the murder case has been shifted to the Divisional Speedy Trial Tribunal.
The tribunal yesterday fixed September 2 for producing the accused before it and beginning hearing of the case.
Prof Yunus of the RU economics department was killed during morning walk near his Binodhpur residence on December 24, 2004. He was president of Bangabandhu Parishad RU unit and senior vice-president of Bangladesh Economic Association.
The second court of Additional District Judge framed charges against eight militants in February, but deferred the case proceedings as the local administration sought government permission for shifting the case to the speedy trial tribunal.
On August 24, the home ministry gave its approval for shifting the case to the tribunal.
The accused in the case are Shafiullah Tarek (a follower of militant kingpin Asadullah Al Galib) and Shahidullah Mahbub (husband of the executed JMB leader Siddikul Islam Bangla Bhai's niece), JMB's regional commanders Abu Isa Enamul and Golamur Rahman Mostafa, Abul Kashem Tufan, an adherent of Galib's Ahle Hadith Jubo Shangha, and JMB militants, Abdul Matin, Abdur Rahman Arif and Mujibar Rahman.
Of them, five are now in jail, two on bail and one accused is still absconding.
Inspector Mohammad Helauddin of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) submitted the charge sheet against the eight on September 10, 2007.
CID brushed aside previous police findings of Shibir involvement in the killing despite two witnesses in judicial statements narrated Shibir men's involvement.
Names of 13 accused, including six cadres of Islami Chhatra Shibir, were dropped from the charge sheet.
Inspector Helaluddin said the investigation took new turn following confessional statements of executed JMB chief Shaikh Abdur Rahman. Later, two prime accused -- Shafiullah Tarek and Shahidullah Mahbub-- gave confessional statements.