A court in Netrokona has sent to jail the prime accused in a murder case after his arrest nearly 30 years after the incident in Khaliajuri upazila.
The court issued the order on Thursday when police produced the accused, Abu Hanif Talukder, 65, son of late Abdul Momin Talukder of Balli village under Chakua union, before it, said Khaliajuri Police Station Officer-in-Charge Nasir Uddin.
Police arrested him from Netrokona town on Wednesday afternoon.
Police said arrest warrants remain active against several other accused in the case. They added that efforts continue to arrest them.
According to police and case records, Abu Hanif allegedly shot dead Sakhatur Rahman, 30, son of late Khurshed Uddin Talukder of the same village, on 14 May 1997 using his father’s licensed firearm.
Police said the killing stemmed from disputes over local election influence and allegations of theft involving two sacks of paddy and clothing.
A day after the killing, victim’s cousin Aftab Uddin Talukder filed a case at Khaliajuri Police Station, accusing Abu Hanif and 34 others.
Aftab Uddin said the investigation was later transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) following an application by the accused.
During the investigation, four accused were dropped from the charge sheet. He later challenged the decision.
He said a district court ordered a reinvestigation, but the same four accused were again excluded.
Aftab Uddin added that the District Sessions Judge Court later ordered that no accused should be excluded from the case. However, the trial faced repeated delays as the accused sought stay orders from higher courts.
After the withdrawal of stay orders following 5 August 2024, the court issued summons against the accused and later arrest warrants.
Expressing satisfaction over the arrest, complainant Aftab Uddin said he had pursued justice for nearly three decades.
“I feel some relief after the arrest of the main accused. I hope the court will ensure exemplary punishment for those responsible,” he said.
