Lawyer murder in Ctg: Two accused put on remand

A Chattogram court yesterday placed two suspects on remand in connection with the murder of Saiful Islam Alif, a lawyer, who was hacked to death during a clash in the court premises on November 26.

The duo Chandan Das and Ripon Das were produced before the court amid tight security measures.

Chattogram Metropolitan Magistrate Kazi Shariful Islam passed the order after Kotwali police produced them before the court.

"The court granted a seven-day remand for Chandan and a five-day remand for Ripon Das after the hearing," said Deputy Commissioner (Prosecution) AAM Humayun Kabir of Chattogram Metropolitan Police to The Daily Star.

Public Prosecutor Mafizul Hoque said police sought a 10-day remand for the accused.

Earlier on Thursday, police arrested Chandan from Bhairab, Kishoreganj, and Ripon from Anwara, Chattogram.

In video footage of the incident, Chandan, wearing a helmet with an orange t-shirt and black pants, was seen attacking Alif with a machete.

Police said that after the murder, he went into hiding.

Ripon was also seen carrying a sharp weapon and wearing a red helmet in the footage.

Police also registered three cases on charges of police assault, vandalism, and obstructing police personnel in discharging their duties during the three-way clashes between police, lawyers, and followers of Chinmoy on November 26.

The clashes erupted on the court premises after the bail plea of Chinmoy, the spokesperson of the Sammilito Sanatoni Jagoron Jote, was rejected in a sedition case.

During the clash, lawyer Saiful Islam Alif was beaten and hacked to death outside the court premises. Following the murder, Saiful's father, Jamal Uddin, filed a murder case naming 31 individuals. Alif's brother lodged another case accusing 115 persons.