The Chittagong Divisional Speedy Trial Tribunal on Thursday recorded deposition of the third prosecution witness in the murder case of lawyer Saiful Islam Alif.
The court also rejected two petitions submitted on behalf of Chinmoy Krishna Das, a key accused in the case, which included a plea for bail and a request for more time to cross-examine the witness.
Judge Fazle Khoda Md Nazir recorded the deposition of lawyer Faridul Alam, who testified as an eyewitness. Following the deposition, defence lawyers representing both the present and fugitive accused cross-examined him.
Although another prosecution witness was present in court, their testimony could not be recorded due to time constraints. The court will record their deposition on the next scheduled date, sources said.
During the hearing, Chinmoy Krishna Das’s defence submitted two petitions – one seeking bail and another seeking additional time to cross-examine the third witness. The court rejected both applications after the hearing.
Chinmoy Krishna Das was produced before the court virtually. The other accused in custody were brought to the tribunal under tight police security. A large crowd of Chinmoy’s followers and ISKCON supporters gathered outside the court premises.
Metropolitan Assistant Public Prosecutor Md Raihanul Wazed Chowdhury, who is also representing the plaintiff, said the father of the deceased Saiful Islam Alif had testified as the first witness.
The defence, particularly Chinmoy’s lawyers, had sought time extensions about six times to complete his cross-examination. Moreover, the cross-examination of the second witness remains incomplete. On Thursday, the defence again sought more time for the third witness.
Raihanul claimed that there is an apparent tendency to delay judicial proceedings through repeated time petitions, which disrupts the normal progression of this significant trial. He added that the prosecution aims to finish witness examinations swiftly and within the scheduled timeframe to resolve the case expeditiously.
Previously on 20 July, the second witness in the case, lawyer Shahidul Alam Rahat, became emotional while testifying in court. The court had subsequently fixed today, 20 August, to complete his cross-examination.
According to case documents, lawyer Saiful Islam Alif was killed on 26 November 2024 during clashes in the Chittagong Court Building area following the rejection of Chinmoy Krishna Das’s bail petition. His father, Jamal Uddin, filed a murder case with the Kotowali Police Station.
Following an investigation, the police filed a charge sheet against 39 individuals, including Chinmoy Krishna Das. The trial commenced on 19 January this year with the framing of charges against the 39 accused.
The case is currently in the stage of prosecution witness testimony and cross-examination. Out of the accused, 27 are currently in jail, while 12 others remain fugitives.
