Recording deposition of witnesses in freedom fighter and Awami League leader Faruk Ahmed murder case was deferred again as main accused AL lawmaker in Tangail-3 Amanur Rahman Khan Rana could not be produced before the court yesterday due to his illness.

With this, the recording of deposition was postponed for the fourth time on the same grounds.

After hearing the case, Judge Abul Mansur Miah of First Additional District and Sessions Judge's Court in Tangail adjourned the recording of deposition and set February 11 for it, said Monirul Islam Khan, additional public prosecutor.

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

The lawmaker is undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. He had a fistula operation and has been suffering from hypertension, diabetes, enlarged prostate and chronic back pain. For this reason, he is unable to travel, says the medical report sent to the jail authorities by a DMCH doctor, he added. 

On September 6 last year, the court framed charges against Rana and 13 others and set October 18 for recording of the witnesses' deposition. But the court deferred it on that day as Rana could not be produced before the court due to his illness.

The recording of the deposition was postponed again on November 1 and 27 on the same grounds.

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

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

Police initially investigated the case, which was later shifted to Tangail DB police.

A charge sheet in the case was submitted in February 3 last year.

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