Court rejects Rizvi's appeal to file case

A Narayanganj court has rejected an appeal filed by BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi to lodge a murder case against 42 policemen, including the district’s police super, over the death of Jubo Dal activist Shaon Pradhan, who was shot dead during a clash between police and BNP.

The court of Narayanganj senior judicial magistrate Imran Hossain gave the order on Sunday afternoon.

Narayanganj court’s police inspector Asaduzzaman confirmed Prothom Alo saying the court rejected the appeal as per the section 213 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).

Speaking to Prothom Alo, the plaintiff’s lawyer Masud Ahmed Talukdar said, “All media said police fired shots. We submitted these evidences with the appeal, but it intentionally rejected the appeal without considering these. The judge rejected the case illegally as he could not avoid the pressure from someone here. The order of the learned judge is against the law and we will decide on it later after discussion.”

Earlier, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi appealed with Narayanganj court to lodge a case against 42 policemen, including the police super and officer-in-charge of Sadar Model police station.

According to the appeal, the BNP leaders and activists started gathering in front of Ali Ahmed Chunka library at rail gate no. 2 of Narayanganj in the morning on 1 September to mark the party’s 44th founding anniversary.

At the behest of the government, the defendants obstructed the BNP men on their way to join the rally. When thousands of leaders and activists gathered there, the accused, forgetting their lawful responsibilities and duties, started beating up the BNP leaders and activists with firearms and bamboo sticks.

Later, they opened firing on the leaders and activists of the BNP and its associate bodies, teargas shells and rubber bullets.

The appeal also said Jubo Dal activist Shaon fell down when DB SI Mahfuzur Rahman fired from the firearm he had in his hand.

Chhatra Dal leader Faruq Ahmed sustained injuries when the defendants fired bullets indiscriminately and fired teargas shells and rubber bullets.

He is in critical condition now. Besides, another 200 leaders and activists sustained bullet injuries. It is clear that the defendants used firearms to kill, which is clear from the video footages and photos published in print media.

In the appeal, Monirul Islam, acting convener of district unit BNP, Sakhawat Hossain, senior vice-president of Narayanganj Mohanagar BNP and nine others were made witnesses.