Hadi murder case to be tried at speedy tribunal

Law Adviser Asif Nazrul yesterday said the murder case of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inqilab Moncho and a frontline activist of the July uprising, will be tried under the Speedy Trial Tribunal to ensure swift justice.

Meanwhile, Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said progress had been made in the investigation and that law enforcers were making all-out efforts to arrest the prime accused, Faisal Karim Masud.

In a Facebook post, Asif said the case would be tried under the Speedy Trial Tribunal Act, 2002. Under Section 10 of the law, the trial must be completed within a maximum of 90 days after submission of the police report, he added.

Hadi was shot a day after the Election Commission announced on December 12 that the next national election would be held on February 12. He was airlifted to Singapore for advanced treatment, where he died on the night of December 18.

His death sparked widespread outrage and calls for prompt and exemplary punishment of those responsible.

After a meeting on the law and order situation at the Secretariat, the home adviser said the government is giving the case the highest priority and warned that no one involved would be spared.

Jahangir said joint forces comprising police, Rapid Action Battalion and Border Guard Bangladesh arrested 10 people, including the prime suspect's wife, his parents and brother-in-law, and the owner of the motorcycle used in the murder. Law enforcers also recovered the motorcycle, two foreign pistols, two magazines, 41 rounds of ammunition and a toy pistol.

When asked about the whereabouts of the killer, Jahangir Alam said, "If we knew where he was, he would have already been arrested." He, however, declined to disclose more details, saying that might hinder the case's progress.

Replying to a query, Jahangir also said 10 people were arrested over the killing of a garment worker in Mymensingh, who was beaten and burned to death.

20 PEOPLE GET GUNMEN

He said gunmen have been provided to around 20 people following security assessments by intelligence agencies. "Those on hit lists or concerned about their safety have already been given gunmen," he said.

When journalists cited a list claiming around 50 members of Gono Odhikar Parishad were at risk, he said DGFI, NSI and Special Branch had jointly identified those facing threats and provided protection accordingly.

He added that while some individuals declined gunmen for personal reasons, intelligence agencies were ensuring alternative security measures based on risk assessments.

Regarding BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman's return, Jahangir said the highest level of security arrangements had been taken ahead of his scheduled arrival on December 25.

2,000 CHECKPOINTS FOR DEVIL HUNT

About 2,000 checkpoints have been set up under Operation Devil Hunt Phase II, with searches of private cars and motorcycles continuing alongside arms recovery drives, the home adviser said.

He said the core committee reviewed progress of the operation, election preparations and ongoing drives to recover looted and illegal firearms.

Since the operation began on December 13, a total of 6,598 people were arrested until December 20, he said. During this period, law enforcers recovered 56 firearms, 437 rounds of ammunition, 1,007 cartridges, 62 locally made weapons and other items, including grenades, mortar shells, gunpowder, fireworks and bomb-making materials.

Separately, the home ministry yesterday said joint forces arrested 698 more people and recovered 14 additional illegal firearms on December 21.

Jahangir said police training ahead of the election is under way in three phases, with two-thirds already completed, including instruction on the use of body-worn cameras.

He said adequate preparations have been taken to ensure peaceful observance of Christmas. Public fireworks will not be allowed on Christmas or Thirty First Night, and no programme will be permitted to block roads.

Security has been ensured at every church, with additional measures taken in Gulshan, Banani and other areas of the capital, the home adviser said.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police have been instructed to keep traffic movement normal, while patrols and search operations will be intensified, he added.

The meeting also reviewed measures against violence instigators, theft, mugging, extortion, land grabbing and organised crime; progress of investigations into the July killings; actions against provocative cyber propaganda; steps to counter violence against women and children, including rape; monitoring of top criminals released on bail; operations against banned organisations; the border situation; and law and order in Rohingya camps.

A separate discussion focused on preparations for the Jagannath University Central Students' Union election, attended by the vice-chancellor, Dhaka University proctor, election commissioner and other officials.