SAMS Kibria. Star file photo

A Habiganj court today accepted the charges against 32 people including former state minister Lutfozzaman Babar in a case filed under Explosive Substances Act over a grenade attack that killed ex-finance minister SAMS Kibria.

Special Trial Tribunal-1 Judge Md Atabullah accepted the charges in presence of 19 accused and set February 29 for the next hearing, Public Prosecutor (PP) Akbar Hosain Jitu told our Moulvibazar correspondent.

Banned militant outfit Harkat-ul Jihad al Islami (Huji) leader Mufti Abdul Hannan, Habiganj Municipality Mayor GK Gaus and suspended Sylhet City Corporation Mayor Ariful Haque Chowdhury are also among the accused.

Of the 32 accused, 14 are now in jail while eight got bail and the rest 10 are on the run. 

The tribunal also issued arrest warrant against the fugitives, the PP further said.

Kibria and four others were killed and many injured in grenade attacks on an Awami League rally at Baidderbazar in Habiganj on January 27, 2005.

Local Awami League leader Abdul Majid Khan filed two cases – one for murder and another under Explosive Act -- with the Habiganj Sadar Police Station following the incident.

On September 13, Speedy Trial Tribunal in Sylhet framed charges against the 32 people in the case filed over the murders.