The Chattogram Divisional Speedy Trial Tribunal has scheduled 29 April as the next hearing in the murder case of lawyer Saiful Islam Alif.
The tribunal deferred the hearing because the defense lawyer, who was scheduled to cross-examine on behalf of one of the main accused, was absent.
No lawyer appeared for Chinmoy Krishna Das, ISKCON leader and spokesperson of the Sanatani Jagaran Jote, on Wednesday.
The session began at 11am, with the plaintiff and father of the deceased, Jamal Uddin, present in court. While he had previously testified, defense lawyers were expected to cross-examine him on Wednesday.
Court sources said all 25 arrested defendants were produced from jail, and their lawyers completed witness cross-examination.
However, Chinmoy Krishna Das appeared virtually via an LED screen from jail and no lawyer represented him during the proceedings.
Previously, lawyer Apurb Kumar Bhattacharyya had represented Chinmoy. When asked by the court whether he had a lawyer and intended to proceed with cross-examination, Chinmoy requested time to consult with his lawyer. Following this, the tribunal fixed 29 April as the next hearing date.
Separately, Chinmoy Krishna Das is also linked to another case filed in 2023 by BNP leader Mir Mohammad Nasir Uddin.
An application regarding the ‘shown arrest’ in that case was scheduled for 7 April at Chattogram Judicial Magistrate-2 Court. Although the accused was required to be produced in court, he was not brought before the judge, who stated that an order on the matter would be issued later.”
In the Alif murder case, 25 of the 39 accused have been arrested so far, while 14 remain at large. The case is currently at the stage of witness examination.
