Shah AMS Kibria Killing: 14 years gone by, justice still eludes

Today is the death anniversary of former finance minister and Awami League leader Shah AMS Kibria, who was killed in a grisly attack 14 years ago.

Kibria and four others were killed and many injured in a grenade attack on an AL rally in Baidderbazar area of Habiganj on January 27, 2005.

Two cases -- one for murder and another under the Explosive Substances Act -- were filed on the night of the incident.

The trial of the murder case began in September 2015, ten years after the attack, by recording testimonies of the witnesses.

Since then, the trial has been taking place at a Speedy Trial Tribunal in Sylhet.

So far, testimonies of 43 witnesses have been recorded among the 171.

Abdul Majid Khan, plaintiff of the case and present parliamentarian of Habiganj 2, said, “The case is being deferred due to the legal procedure and we are eagerly waiting for justice that should be ensured as soon as possible”.

A total of 32 people were accused in the case. Among them, three, including militant leader Mufti Hannan, have been executed in other cases, 10 are in jail, 12 are in bail and seven, including BNP Chairperson's former special assistant Abul Harris Chowdhury, are on the run.

Kishor Kumar Kar, additional public prosecutor of the court, said the last date for recording testimonies was deferred from January 7 to February 7 as former state minister Lutfozzaman Babar, an accused in the case, was absent.

“There are some accused, like Babar, who move from jail to jail because of being charged in different cases and cannot appear before the court on time.”

“From last August to this January, the case was deferred four times,” he added.

The prosecutor also said that the court was yet to frame charges against the accused in the other case filed under the explosive act.

Meanwhile, Dr Reza Kibria, son of ASM Kibria, said, “The trial is being progressed based on incomplete investigation reports.”

“We believe that there are a lot of truths hidden under the surface, and we cannot get justice for the murder this way,” he added.

Family members, relatives and well-wishers of the famous leader will offer tribute at his grave at Banani Intellectual Graveyard in the capital today, Reza also said.