HC to IGP in murder case verdict

STAFF CORRESPONDENT

In the full text of the verdict in a murder case, the High Court has asked the inspector general of police to take action against 19 police personnel, including the investigation officer, for not giving statements as witnesses before the trial court.

The case was filed with the capital’s Shahjahanpur Police Station on April 10, 2005, a day after the severed head of a boy was recovered beneath a foot footbridge in the area.

In the full text of the verdict released yesterday, the HC acquitted accused Md Anowar Hossain and Md Zakir Hossain, who were sentenced to death by the trial court.

The bench of Justice Krishna Debnath and Justice KM Zahid Sarwar Kajol observed that the acquitted accused were victims of miscarriage of justice and they can seek an order of compensation and proper rehabilitation.

Lawyer Mohammad Shishir Manir, who appeared for Anowar and Zakir in a pro bono move, told The Daily Star that the investigation officer of the case and then sub-inspector of Shahjahanpur Police Station Rafiqul Islam and 18 other police personnel were named as witnesses in the charge sheet, but none appeared before the trial court to give statements.

“The trial proceedings of the case remained halted for eight years due to the absence of the witnesses,” he said.