Journalist murder: 2 AL leaders denied bail

The High Court on Monday denied bail to Awami League leaders Iqbal Bahar and Sirajul Haque (alias Abul Kashem) in a case filed over the murder of journalist Borhan Uddin Muzakkir amid political infighting in Noakhali's Companiganj.

The bench of justice Jahangir Hossain Selim and justice Mohi Uddin Shamim passed the order, considering that the petition was not submitted properly.

Deputy attorney general Md Bashir Ullah represented the state while advocate Shahinur Begum stood for the accused.

On 19 February, clashes and gunfight took place between the supporters of Basurhat municipality mayor Abdul Quader Mirza and former Companiganj upazila chairman Mizanur Rahman Badal over establishing supremacy in the area.

Both groups used firearms in the clash and the law enforcers fired several rounds of tear gas and shotguns to control the situation.

Muzakkir, a Noakhali district correspondent of online news portal Barta Bazar and also Companiganj correspondent for The Daily Bangladesh Samachar, suffered bullet wounds and fell on the ground when he was taking pictures and filming the intra-party clash.

The critically injured journalist was rushed to Noakhali General Hospital and later shifted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital where he succumbed to injuries on 20 February.

On 23 February, Muzakkir's father Nurul Huda filed a case with Companiganj police station accusing unnamed people. Later the case was transferred to the police bureau of investigation (PBI).

Musapur Union Swechchhasebak League president Iqbal Bahar and local Awami League activist Sirajul Haque were shown arrested in the case.