A Chattogram court on Monday framed charges against 39 people, including Sanatani Jagaran Jote spokesperson Chinmoy Krishna Das, opening the trial in lawyer Saiful Islam Alif murder case.
Judge Md Jahidul Haque of the Chattogram Divisional Speedy Trial Tribunal passed the order.
Public Prosecutor SUM Nurul Islam said that the recording of witness testimonies is scheduled to begin on 2 February.
The hearing was held amid tight security, with checkpoints set up at the main entrances to the court premises, causing traffic congestion in the surrounding areas.
Of the accused, 23 were produced before the court from Chattogram Jail around 9:45 am, while the remaining 16 are absconding.
During the hearing, Chinmoy Krishna Das spoke in his defence for about 25 minutes, while two other accused also addressed the court.
Advocate Apurba Kumar Bhattacharya appeared on behalf of Chinmoy, while Advocates Dulal Chandra Nath and Chandan Kumar Dhar represented the absconding accused.
Assistant Public Prosecutor Md Raihanul Wajed Chowdhury and Public Prosecutor SUM Nurul Islam appeared for the prosecution.
The murder took place on 26 November 2024 during clashes in the Chattogram court area after Chinmoy Krishna Das was denied bail.
Lawyer Saiful Islam Alif was beaten and hacked to death by a group of 15 to 20 people outside the court premises.
According to the confessional statements of accused Chandan Das, Ripon Das, and Rajib Bhattacharya, Ripon Das struck Alif twice on the neck with a sharp weapon, while others attacked him using sticks, bricks, and daggers.
Chinmoy Krishna Das has been named as an instigator in the murder case. He was earlier arrested in Dhaka on 25 November last year in connection with a sedition case filed on 31 October over the alleged desecration of the national flag.
The investigation officer initially submitted a charge sheet against 38 people on 1 July last year. Following a protest petition filed by the plaintiff, the court later accepted a revised charge sheet against 39 people on 25 August.
Jamal Uddin, father of the victim and plaintiff in the case, was present in court and expressed satisfaction over the start of the trial. “I want to see the trial for my son’s murder completed before I die,” he said.
Assistant Public Prosecutor Wajed described the case as highly sensitive and said it has implications for communal harmony and national security.
He said five other cases related to attacks on police, obstruction of government duties, and the explosion of cocktails during the unrest are still pending.
