Judge refuses to try Prof Taher killing case

Staff Correspondent, Rajshahi

The judge of a public safety tribunal in Rajshahi refused to conduct the proceedings of Rajshahi University (RU) Prof S Taher Ahmed murder case filed against six people, including Islami Chhatra Shibir leader Salehi, due to "unavoidable circumstances".

Judge Jahangir Alam Mollah, also the special sessions judge, moved the proceedings of the case to Rajshahi District and Sessions Judge's Court Monday saying that he is doing so due to unavoidable circumstances, which he did not explain.

Prosecution lawyer Golam Arif Tipu told newsmen that the judge on Monday was repeatedly telling the defence lawyers, "I never bow to any pressure... these will not work with me."

Arif told reporters, "The recording of accounts of two of Taher's colleagues was scheduled for Monday. The judge fixed September 9 for the witness hearing."

"Coming out of the court, the defence lawyers informed me that the judge was feeling embarrassed and we came to know today [Tuesday] that he refused to try the case," he said yesterday.

Talking to The Daily Star, Judge Jahangir Alam Mollah said he declined to try the case as he felt that providing justice in this case would not be possible for him.

"I will not talk about any pressure... so far I have been working with honesty... I do not want to get involved in any dispute or be harassed at this moment," Mollah said.

At least 26 witnesses, out of over 60 have provided their accounts since the trial of the case began in the tribunal on July 3. The charges were framed on June 18.

Police submitted charge sheet of the case on March 18 accusing six people including two suspected masterminds--RU Prof Mia Muhammad Mohiuddin and former RU Shibir president Mahbubul Alam Salehi. The other accused are Jahangir, Salam, Nazmul and Azimuddin Munshi.

According to the prosecution, Mohiuddin and Salehi masterminded the killing of Prof S Taher Ahmed hiring killers promising them jobs in the university.

Three accused in their judicial confessional statements said that Salehi, pressing a pillow over Taher's head, confirmed the death and later with Mohiuddin celebrated by sitting on Taher's body.

Mohiuddin allegedly masterminded the murder apprehending damage to his teaching career by Taher who allegedly detected plagiarism and piracy in Mohiuddin's 10 out of 11 research papers submitted with his promotion prayer.