Court Correspondent
Criminal Investigation Department yesterday sought permission to interrogate BD Foods Ltd Chairman Badruddoza Chowdhury Momen and five others in connection with 54 kilogrammes of heroin smuggling case.
CID Assistant Superintendent of Police Arshad Ali, also the investigation officer of the case, appealed to the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court of Dhaka to unearth how and from where the accused had brought heroin into the country.
After the hearing, Metropolitan Magistrate Shahdat Hossain fixed March 24 for hearing on the petition.
The case was filed with Sutrapur Police Station in May 2006.
The other five are BD Foods officials Mohammad Mainuddin and Abu Bakar Siddique, former employee Nazmul Haider Bhuiyan Bulbul, Kazi Zafar Reza of Rainbow Enterprise and Abul Bashar of Green Heaven Enterprise.
They along with Badruddoza obtained bails from the High Court earlier on different dates.
Zafar and Bashar after being arrested on May 7 and 12 of 2006 gave confessional statements before magistrates. The two confessed that they were involved with smuggling heroin to the UK following Badruddoza's directive.
Badruddoza was arrested on May 14 the same year after Nazmul and his accomplice Mokhlesur Rahman Nayan, a cargo handler, confessed to a magistrate that they had smuggled 22.5kg of heroin to the UK on instructions from Badruddoza.
He was also shown arrested in a case filed in connection with the 22.5kg-heroin smuggling case filed with Motijheel Police Station in May the same year.
Later, Badruddoza was remanded for 17 days on different dates. He was granted bail from the HC on July 9, 2006.
Showing posts with label Daily Star. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Daily Star. Show all posts
6 December 2009
Court orders to return passports of BD Foods chairman
Court Correspondent
A Dhaka court on Thursday ordered to return the passports of BD Foods Limited Chairman Badruddoza Chowdhury Momen for going abroad for treatment that were earlier seized in connection with trafficking of 22.5kg heroin to the UK in December 2004.
Judge ANM Bashir Ullah of the Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court passed the order following a criminal revision filed by Momen's lawyers against the rejection order of the lower court issued on November 19 last year.
In his order, the judge mentioned that the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) of Dhaka would hand over the seized passports in the custody of the accused subject to furnish a bond of Tk 1 lakh by his (accused) son Mohammad Badrul Haider Chowdhury along with other liabilities to take in his shoulder in case of the accused not surrendering the passports for a period of four months from the day of delivery.
The accused will surrender the passports to the CMM's Court after four months from the day of delivery. Moreover, the High Court (HC), while granting bail to the accused, did not impose any restriction on the accused to leave the country. So, the passports seized from Momen should be returned to the accused for treatment abroad, the court said.
Momen's lawyers filed a criminal revision with the Sessions Court on January 15 seeking passports as the accused would go abroad for his treatment.
Momen was arrested on May 14, 2006 after two other arrestees in their confessional statements before a magistrate named BD Foods Limited chairman as the mastermind behind the trafficking of 22.5kg of heroin to the UK. He was later taken on a seven-day remand for interrogation. But he was granted bail on August 10, 2006.
CONFESSION
Nazmul Haider Bhuiyan Bulbul, a former official of BD Foods Limited, and his cohort Mokhlesur Rahman Nayan, a cargo handler, in their confessional statements told a magistrate they had carried out the smuggling at the directive of the top authorities of the company.
A Dhaka court on Thursday ordered to return the passports of BD Foods Limited Chairman Badruddoza Chowdhury Momen for going abroad for treatment that were earlier seized in connection with trafficking of 22.5kg heroin to the UK in December 2004.
Judge ANM Bashir Ullah of the Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court passed the order following a criminal revision filed by Momen's lawyers against the rejection order of the lower court issued on November 19 last year.
In his order, the judge mentioned that the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) of Dhaka would hand over the seized passports in the custody of the accused subject to furnish a bond of Tk 1 lakh by his (accused) son Mohammad Badrul Haider Chowdhury along with other liabilities to take in his shoulder in case of the accused not surrendering the passports for a period of four months from the day of delivery.
The accused will surrender the passports to the CMM's Court after four months from the day of delivery. Moreover, the High Court (HC), while granting bail to the accused, did not impose any restriction on the accused to leave the country. So, the passports seized from Momen should be returned to the accused for treatment abroad, the court said.
Momen's lawyers filed a criminal revision with the Sessions Court on January 15 seeking passports as the accused would go abroad for his treatment.
Momen was arrested on May 14, 2006 after two other arrestees in their confessional statements before a magistrate named BD Foods Limited chairman as the mastermind behind the trafficking of 22.5kg of heroin to the UK. He was later taken on a seven-day remand for interrogation. But he was granted bail on August 10, 2006.
CONFESSION
Nazmul Haider Bhuiyan Bulbul, a former official of BD Foods Limited, and his cohort Mokhlesur Rahman Nayan, a cargo handler, in their confessional statements told a magistrate they had carried out the smuggling at the directive of the top authorities of the company.
24 May 2008
Prof Taher's family, RU teachers feel insecure as Salehi released
Staff Correspondent, Rajshahi
Family members of murdered Rajshahi University (RU) teacher Dr S Taher Ahmed and many other RU teachers are feeling insecure after release of key killer-suspect Salehi from jail.
Mahbubul Alam Salehi was freed from jail on Thursday afternoon after a Rajshahi court acquitted two persons including him. The court awarded death to four persons including RU teacher Dr Mia Mohammad Mohiuddin.
“I am anxious about security of my son and daughter. We are in fear. We cannot tell what everybody knows,” said Sultana Ahmed, Taher's wife.
“We faced pressure while running the case. Now we are thinking about our security,” said Taher's son Sanjid Alvi Ahmed.
Expressing anxiety over Salehi's release, several senior RU teachers of RU said they are not satisfied with the trial of Prof Taher's killing while trial of another RU teacher's killing is yet to be completed.
“Shibir men who were always after progressive teachers will be desperate after Salehi's release,” said a senior teacher.
“Jamaat-Shibir men tried to influence the case by threatening the previous government to create anarchy throughout the country. They also sheltered Salehi although he was sought after by the court. His release might lead to deterioration of the law and order,” said another teacher.
Prosecution lawyer Golam Arif Tipu said, “There was no eyewitness in Prof Taher murder case. The trial was done following confessional statements and circumstantial evidences.”
“Salehi was acquitted on the benefit of doubt raised due to contradictions between the judicial confessions and medical reports. But the law points by which the other accused were punished, were sufficient to prove Salehi's involvement,” he said.
Expressing similar opinion, another prosecution lawyer Hamidul Haque said,
“Salehi's involvement and his suspicious activities during and after the murder were revealed by judicial confessions and several witnesses.”
Salehi's lawyer Abu Mohammad Selim said, “The court considered part of the judicial confessions to be true. But the part involving Salehi was not true that was proved by the post mortem report”.
He added that the prosecution could not also prove any rivalry between Salehi and Prof Taher during the trial.
Three killers Jahangir, Salam and Nazmul provided judicial confessions that Salehi put a pillow over Taher's face and sat on it after confirming his death.
They also stated that Salehi helped them dumping Taher's body into a sewerage well behind Taher's house.
Family members of murdered Rajshahi University (RU) teacher Dr S Taher Ahmed and many other RU teachers are feeling insecure after release of key killer-suspect Salehi from jail.
Mahbubul Alam Salehi was freed from jail on Thursday afternoon after a Rajshahi court acquitted two persons including him. The court awarded death to four persons including RU teacher Dr Mia Mohammad Mohiuddin.
“I am anxious about security of my son and daughter. We are in fear. We cannot tell what everybody knows,” said Sultana Ahmed, Taher's wife.
“We faced pressure while running the case. Now we are thinking about our security,” said Taher's son Sanjid Alvi Ahmed.
Expressing anxiety over Salehi's release, several senior RU teachers of RU said they are not satisfied with the trial of Prof Taher's killing while trial of another RU teacher's killing is yet to be completed.
“Shibir men who were always after progressive teachers will be desperate after Salehi's release,” said a senior teacher.
“Jamaat-Shibir men tried to influence the case by threatening the previous government to create anarchy throughout the country. They also sheltered Salehi although he was sought after by the court. His release might lead to deterioration of the law and order,” said another teacher.
Prosecution lawyer Golam Arif Tipu said, “There was no eyewitness in Prof Taher murder case. The trial was done following confessional statements and circumstantial evidences.”
“Salehi was acquitted on the benefit of doubt raised due to contradictions between the judicial confessions and medical reports. But the law points by which the other accused were punished, were sufficient to prove Salehi's involvement,” he said.
Expressing similar opinion, another prosecution lawyer Hamidul Haque said,
“Salehi's involvement and his suspicious activities during and after the murder were revealed by judicial confessions and several witnesses.”
Salehi's lawyer Abu Mohammad Selim said, “The court considered part of the judicial confessions to be true. But the part involving Salehi was not true that was proved by the post mortem report”.
He added that the prosecution could not also prove any rivalry between Salehi and Prof Taher during the trial.
Three killers Jahangir, Salam and Nazmul provided judicial confessions that Salehi put a pillow over Taher's face and sat on it after confirming his death.
They also stated that Salehi helped them dumping Taher's body into a sewerage well behind Taher's house.
RU students unhappy at acquittal of Salehi
RU Correspondent
Different student organisations of Rajshahi University (RU) expressed discontent at the judgment into the Prof Taher murder case and rejected the verdict that acquitted the "main" killer of the RU teacher.
Only leaders and activists of Islami Chhatra Shibir rejoiced at the acquittal of Mahbubul Alam Salehi, former president of RU Shibir and also suspected to be one of the masterminds behind the gruesome killing of RU geology and mining department professor Taher Ahmed.
A Rajshahi Speedy Trial Tribunal on Thursday sentenced to death four persons, including RU teacher Dr Mia Mohammad Mohiuddin, for killing Prof Taher and acquitted two.
The RU unit of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) yesterday rejected the judgment and demanded immediate reinvestigation into the case.
BCL RU unit President Ibrahim Hossain Moon alleged that Jamaat-e-Islami and its student front Shibir influenced the case in various ways to have the verdict in their favour.
"If Salehi returns to campus, I think law and order on the campus will deteriorate and Shibir will again create panic here," Moon told The Daily Star.
He said the BCL RU unit will meet the university proctor and students adviser today to place their demand for ensuring coexistence of the leaders and activists of all student organisations in the men's dormitories.
"We will also request the university authorities to monitor Shibir's activities on the campus," he added.
BCL RU unit General Secretary Ayeen Uddin said, "We know Salehi is the killer of Prof Taher...We will launch a movement against the university authorities if Shibir creates panic on the campus through their activities."
Arafat Reza Ashik, convener of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal at RU Sher-e-Bangla Hall, also said, "We are not satisfied by the court judgment."
Taimur Faruk Tushar, president of JSD Chhatra League, said, "We are very much frustrated at the verdict following which we fear Shibir's terrorist activities on campus will increase."
He said, "We know very well that Salehi is the prime killer of Prof Taher Ahmed."
Leaders of Bangladesh Chhatra Union, Samajtantrik Chhatra Front and Bangladesh Chhatra Federation also rejected the verdict and demanded punishment to Salehi as he was the main mastermind of the killing.
Alleging Shibir influence on the case, they also demanded reinvestigation into it.
Many RU teachers also expressed frustration over the verdict.
Different student organisations of Rajshahi University (RU) expressed discontent at the judgment into the Prof Taher murder case and rejected the verdict that acquitted the "main" killer of the RU teacher.
Only leaders and activists of Islami Chhatra Shibir rejoiced at the acquittal of Mahbubul Alam Salehi, former president of RU Shibir and also suspected to be one of the masterminds behind the gruesome killing of RU geology and mining department professor Taher Ahmed.
A Rajshahi Speedy Trial Tribunal on Thursday sentenced to death four persons, including RU teacher Dr Mia Mohammad Mohiuddin, for killing Prof Taher and acquitted two.
The RU unit of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) yesterday rejected the judgment and demanded immediate reinvestigation into the case.
BCL RU unit President Ibrahim Hossain Moon alleged that Jamaat-e-Islami and its student front Shibir influenced the case in various ways to have the verdict in their favour.
"If Salehi returns to campus, I think law and order on the campus will deteriorate and Shibir will again create panic here," Moon told The Daily Star.
He said the BCL RU unit will meet the university proctor and students adviser today to place their demand for ensuring coexistence of the leaders and activists of all student organisations in the men's dormitories.
"We will also request the university authorities to monitor Shibir's activities on the campus," he added.
BCL RU unit General Secretary Ayeen Uddin said, "We know Salehi is the killer of Prof Taher...We will launch a movement against the university authorities if Shibir creates panic on the campus through their activities."
Arafat Reza Ashik, convener of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal at RU Sher-e-Bangla Hall, also said, "We are not satisfied by the court judgment."
Taimur Faruk Tushar, president of JSD Chhatra League, said, "We are very much frustrated at the verdict following which we fear Shibir's terrorist activities on campus will increase."
He said, "We know very well that Salehi is the prime killer of Prof Taher Ahmed."
Leaders of Bangladesh Chhatra Union, Samajtantrik Chhatra Front and Bangladesh Chhatra Federation also rejected the verdict and demanded punishment to Salehi as he was the main mastermind of the killing.
Alleging Shibir influence on the case, they also demanded reinvestigation into it.
Many RU teachers also expressed frustration over the verdict.
23 May 2008
Prof Taher Murder: RU teacher, 3 others sentenced to death, Shibir leader Salehi acquitted
Anwar Ali and Abu Kalam, Rajshahi
A Rajshahi court yesterday sentenced to death four persons including Rajshahi University (RU) teacher Dr Mia Mohammad Mohiuddin for the gruesome killing of RU geology and mining department teacher Dr S Taher Ahmed.
The three others are caretaker at Taher's residence Jahangir Alam, his brother Abdus Salam and brother-in-law Nazmul. They had made judicial confessions.
In the judgement, Rajshahi Speedy Trial Tribunal Judge ATM Mesbauddoula acquitted two of the accused -- former RU Islami Chhatra Shibir president Mahbubul Alam Salehi, a suspected mastermind of the killing, and Jahangir's father Azimuddin Munshi.
Mohiuddin, a brother-in-law of former post and telecommunications minister Barrister Aminul Haque (absconding for long) belonged to pro BNP-Jamaat teachers' alliance at RU while three other killers were Shibir adherents, the case documents say.
Public Prosecutor (PP) Jahangir Alam briefed journalists after delivery of the judgement as they were not allowed in the courtroom.
Security was stepped up in around the court with two platoons of policemen deployed from morning.
The PP said the court was convinced that Mohiuddin had become hostile to his senior colleague Taher as the latter's honesty was a barrier to his promotion.
The court was also convinced that Mohiuddin was involved in plagiarism and piracy in preparing his research papers since he tried even to befool the court submitting forged papers.
Taher never behaved ill with Mohiuddin, the PP quoted the judge as saying. Taher's findings of piracy were enough to prevent Mohiuddin's promotion, he added.
About Salehi's acquittal, the judge explained that although he was named in judicial confessions, the prosecution could not substantiate that with evidence.
Moreover, Salehi was said to have pressed pillow on Taher's face causing his death, but medical reports and depositions of doctors concerned revealed his death was not due to suffocation, the PP said.
Azimuddin was accused in the case for knowing that Jahangir had kept in his house the knife used in the murder.
Asked why four Shibir men including central office secretary Rejaul Karim and RU unit president Delwar Hossain Sayeedi were allowed in the court while journalists were barred, the PP said, “It was a separate case…“All but lawyers and case-related people were not llowed in the court following the judge's order for security.”
After the judgement was delivered, Jamaat-Shibir men led by Rajshahi city Jamaat President Ataur Rahman brought out a silent procession on the court premises, and expressed satisfaction. Salehi showed victory signs raising his hands.
Mohiuddin broke down in tears. The three other killers however expressed wrath against some RU teachers shouting that they are victims of their conspiracy.
THE KILLING
Dr S Taher Ahmed, professor of geology and mining, was killed on February 1, 2006 at the age of 59, and police recovered his body from a septic tank well behind his campus residence on February 3.
He was murdered only a year after the killing of RU economics teacher Prof Mohammad Yunus.
According to judicial confessions in the case, both Mohiuddin and Salehi were present during the killing and they had confirmed his death by touching his body in Jahangir's room at Taher's residence.
Then they followed the body while it was being taken to the septic tank for dumping.
MOTIVE BEHIND KILLING
The charges pressed say Mohiuddin planned the murder in connivance with Salehi, promising money, computers and jobs for hired killers. Mohiuddin did this to avoid damages to his career as Taher had detected 'piracy' in his research papers.
INVESTIGATION AND TRIAL
Within seven days of the killing, police arrested five accused including Mohiuddin.
Salehi remained out of police drag net due to protection by Jamaat-Shibir till a court cancelled his bail in April last year.
Local Jamaat-Shibir leaders staged a big showdown in the city with Salehi present there on February 10, 2006. They asked policemen to arrest Salehi 'if they can'.
Police had to delay pressing charges till May 18 last year because of political pressure although investigation was completed over a year ago (in May 2006).
Trial of the case had started at the public safety tribunal on June 18 last year.
On August 20, Jahangir Alam Mollah, judge of the publotribunal, refused to conduct the case citing "unavoidable circumstances".
The Court of District and Sessions Judge AR Masud on October 7 stayed the case proceedings for an indefinite period following errors in a government gazette notification for shifting the case to the speedy trial tribunal.
After necessary corrections, the trial proceedings started in December last year.
MIXED REACTION
Prof Taher's family members expressed mixed reaction to the judgement while two former RU vice chancellors and many of the teachers expressed disappointment over it.
But Jamaat-Shibir was quite happy about the verdict as Salehi was acquitted.
Plaintiff of the case and Taher's Sanjid Alvi Ahmed said, “We are happy at the judgment but acquittal of Salehi has disappointed us. We have asked for a copy of judgement so that we can further consult our lawyers."
Taher's wife Sultana Ahmed appeared unhappy at the verdict. “I want to say nothing about the court's decision, our lawyers will deal with it”.
Meanwhile, Salehi was freed from Rajshahi Central Jail in the afternoon. Hundreds of Jamaat- Shibir men greeted him at the jail gate and took him away.
When contacted, Sanjid said they would challenge 'part of the verdict' in higher courts.
Their councel Golam Arif Tipu said Salehi could be punished depending on the judicial confessions as investigators firmly spoke of his involvement in the murder.
PP Jahangir Alam however said Salehi was acquitted giving him the benefit of doubt as there was no prosecution witness or evidence against him.
Littérateur Prof Hasan Azizul Haque said, “I am hurt, agitated and frustrated at the verdict. It proved shortcomings in our legal system where a killer can be saved”.
Former RU vice chancellor Dr M Saidur Rahman Khan said, “I astonished to see a killer released."
Prof Abdul Khaleque, another former RU VC, and Prof Moloy Kumar Bhaowmik expressed similar views.
A Rajshahi court yesterday sentenced to death four persons including Rajshahi University (RU) teacher Dr Mia Mohammad Mohiuddin for the gruesome killing of RU geology and mining department teacher Dr S Taher Ahmed.
The three others are caretaker at Taher's residence Jahangir Alam, his brother Abdus Salam and brother-in-law Nazmul. They had made judicial confessions.
In the judgement, Rajshahi Speedy Trial Tribunal Judge ATM Mesbauddoula acquitted two of the accused -- former RU Islami Chhatra Shibir president Mahbubul Alam Salehi, a suspected mastermind of the killing, and Jahangir's father Azimuddin Munshi.
Mohiuddin, a brother-in-law of former post and telecommunications minister Barrister Aminul Haque (absconding for long) belonged to pro BNP-Jamaat teachers' alliance at RU while three other killers were Shibir adherents, the case documents say.
Public Prosecutor (PP) Jahangir Alam briefed journalists after delivery of the judgement as they were not allowed in the courtroom.
Security was stepped up in around the court with two platoons of policemen deployed from morning.
The PP said the court was convinced that Mohiuddin had become hostile to his senior colleague Taher as the latter's honesty was a barrier to his promotion.
The court was also convinced that Mohiuddin was involved in plagiarism and piracy in preparing his research papers since he tried even to befool the court submitting forged papers.
Taher never behaved ill with Mohiuddin, the PP quoted the judge as saying. Taher's findings of piracy were enough to prevent Mohiuddin's promotion, he added.
About Salehi's acquittal, the judge explained that although he was named in judicial confessions, the prosecution could not substantiate that with evidence.
Moreover, Salehi was said to have pressed pillow on Taher's face causing his death, but medical reports and depositions of doctors concerned revealed his death was not due to suffocation, the PP said.
Azimuddin was accused in the case for knowing that Jahangir had kept in his house the knife used in the murder.
Asked why four Shibir men including central office secretary Rejaul Karim and RU unit president Delwar Hossain Sayeedi were allowed in the court while journalists were barred, the PP said, “It was a separate case…“All but lawyers and case-related people were not llowed in the court following the judge's order for security.”
After the judgement was delivered, Jamaat-Shibir men led by Rajshahi city Jamaat President Ataur Rahman brought out a silent procession on the court premises, and expressed satisfaction. Salehi showed victory signs raising his hands.
Mohiuddin broke down in tears. The three other killers however expressed wrath against some RU teachers shouting that they are victims of their conspiracy.
THE KILLING
Dr S Taher Ahmed, professor of geology and mining, was killed on February 1, 2006 at the age of 59, and police recovered his body from a septic tank well behind his campus residence on February 3.
He was murdered only a year after the killing of RU economics teacher Prof Mohammad Yunus.
According to judicial confessions in the case, both Mohiuddin and Salehi were present during the killing and they had confirmed his death by touching his body in Jahangir's room at Taher's residence.
Then they followed the body while it was being taken to the septic tank for dumping.
MOTIVE BEHIND KILLING
The charges pressed say Mohiuddin planned the murder in connivance with Salehi, promising money, computers and jobs for hired killers. Mohiuddin did this to avoid damages to his career as Taher had detected 'piracy' in his research papers.
INVESTIGATION AND TRIAL
Within seven days of the killing, police arrested five accused including Mohiuddin.
Salehi remained out of police drag net due to protection by Jamaat-Shibir till a court cancelled his bail in April last year.
Local Jamaat-Shibir leaders staged a big showdown in the city with Salehi present there on February 10, 2006. They asked policemen to arrest Salehi 'if they can'.
Police had to delay pressing charges till May 18 last year because of political pressure although investigation was completed over a year ago (in May 2006).
Trial of the case had started at the public safety tribunal on June 18 last year.
On August 20, Jahangir Alam Mollah, judge of the publotribunal, refused to conduct the case citing "unavoidable circumstances".
The Court of District and Sessions Judge AR Masud on October 7 stayed the case proceedings for an indefinite period following errors in a government gazette notification for shifting the case to the speedy trial tribunal.
After necessary corrections, the trial proceedings started in December last year.
MIXED REACTION
Prof Taher's family members expressed mixed reaction to the judgement while two former RU vice chancellors and many of the teachers expressed disappointment over it.
But Jamaat-Shibir was quite happy about the verdict as Salehi was acquitted.
Plaintiff of the case and Taher's Sanjid Alvi Ahmed said, “We are happy at the judgment but acquittal of Salehi has disappointed us. We have asked for a copy of judgement so that we can further consult our lawyers."
Taher's wife Sultana Ahmed appeared unhappy at the verdict. “I want to say nothing about the court's decision, our lawyers will deal with it”.
Meanwhile, Salehi was freed from Rajshahi Central Jail in the afternoon. Hundreds of Jamaat- Shibir men greeted him at the jail gate and took him away.
When contacted, Sanjid said they would challenge 'part of the verdict' in higher courts.
Their councel Golam Arif Tipu said Salehi could be punished depending on the judicial confessions as investigators firmly spoke of his involvement in the murder.
PP Jahangir Alam however said Salehi was acquitted giving him the benefit of doubt as there was no prosecution witness or evidence against him.
Littérateur Prof Hasan Azizul Haque said, “I am hurt, agitated and frustrated at the verdict. It proved shortcomings in our legal system where a killer can be saved”.
Former RU vice chancellor Dr M Saidur Rahman Khan said, “I astonished to see a killer released."
Prof Abdul Khaleque, another former RU VC, and Prof Moloy Kumar Bhaowmik expressed similar views.
22 May 2008
Verdict in RU Prof Taher murder case today
Staff Correspondent, Rajshahi
The verdict in sensational Rajshahi University (RU) Professor Dr Sheikh Taher Ahmed murder case will be delivered today
Rajshahi speedy trial tribunal fixed the date of judgment after three days' argument on May 6.
Tight security measures have been taken to maintain peace on the court premises and its surroundings.
Earlier, police intelligence feared that RU Shibir men in collaboration with Jamaat cadres from outside might stage showdown on the court premises.
Taher's colleague Dr Mia Mohammad Mohiuddin and former Rajshahi University Islami Chhatra Shibir president Mahbubul Alam Salehi are accused in the case as masterminds among six accused.
Three killer suspects Jahangir, Salam and Nazmul provided judicial confessions.
Another accused Azimuddin Munshi and Mohiuddin are now on bail while the rest others are in jail.
According to charges, Mohiuddin and Salehi were directly involved in the murder. They masterminded the killing promising computers and jobs to hired killers.
Mohiuddin hatched the conspiracy as he apprehended that Taher might damage his career and would stand on way to promotion. This is because, Taher detected 'piracy' in his research papers. Salehi got involved for organisational gains.
Investigation and trial of the case witnessed several interruptions.
Dr Taher, a senior professor of Geology and Mining Department was killed on February 1, 2006. Police recovered the body from a sewerage well behind his house on the campus on February 3.
Police arrested all five accused including Mohiuddin within seven days of killing. Mohiuddin's arrest needed government clearance as he is a university teacher.
Salehi remained out of police drag net till his surrender to court in April last year as Jamaat-Shibir leaders protected and sheltered him almost openly.
Local Jamaat-Shibir leaders held a big showdown in the city with Salehi on February 10, 2006. They boasted and asked policemen 'to catch Salehi if they have the bravery'.
Journalists were not allowed to follow proceedings of trial at courtroom since shifting of the case to speedy trial tribunal.
The verdict in sensational Rajshahi University (RU) Professor Dr Sheikh Taher Ahmed murder case will be delivered today
Rajshahi speedy trial tribunal fixed the date of judgment after three days' argument on May 6.
Tight security measures have been taken to maintain peace on the court premises and its surroundings.
Earlier, police intelligence feared that RU Shibir men in collaboration with Jamaat cadres from outside might stage showdown on the court premises.
Taher's colleague Dr Mia Mohammad Mohiuddin and former Rajshahi University Islami Chhatra Shibir president Mahbubul Alam Salehi are accused in the case as masterminds among six accused.
Three killer suspects Jahangir, Salam and Nazmul provided judicial confessions.
Another accused Azimuddin Munshi and Mohiuddin are now on bail while the rest others are in jail.
According to charges, Mohiuddin and Salehi were directly involved in the murder. They masterminded the killing promising computers and jobs to hired killers.
Mohiuddin hatched the conspiracy as he apprehended that Taher might damage his career and would stand on way to promotion. This is because, Taher detected 'piracy' in his research papers. Salehi got involved for organisational gains.
Investigation and trial of the case witnessed several interruptions.
Dr Taher, a senior professor of Geology and Mining Department was killed on February 1, 2006. Police recovered the body from a sewerage well behind his house on the campus on February 3.
Police arrested all five accused including Mohiuddin within seven days of killing. Mohiuddin's arrest needed government clearance as he is a university teacher.
Salehi remained out of police drag net till his surrender to court in April last year as Jamaat-Shibir leaders protected and sheltered him almost openly.
Local Jamaat-Shibir leaders held a big showdown in the city with Salehi on February 10, 2006. They boasted and asked policemen 'to catch Salehi if they have the bravery'.
Journalists were not allowed to follow proceedings of trial at courtroom since shifting of the case to speedy trial tribunal.
18 December 2007
Dr Taher Murder: Trial resumes after four months
Staff Correspondent, Rajshahi
Trial in the Dr S Taher murder case resumed at Rajshahi Divisional Speedy Trial Tribunal yesterday after nearly four months.
Judge ATM Mesbahuddoula of the tribunal yesterday fixed January 6 to January 10 for recording deposition of the prosecution witnesses when the case documents were placed before his court.
Out of 60 prosecution witnesses, depositions of 29 PWs have already been recorded, court officials said.
The court of District and Sessions Judge AR Masud stayed the proceedings of the case for an indefinite period on October 7 following an erroneous gazette notification of the government.
The government in its September 17 gazette notification opted for holding trial of the case by the divisional speedy trial tribunal.
Trial of the case started at the public safety tribunal with framing charges against six people, including RU teacher Dr Mia Mohammad Mohiuddin and former RU Shibir president Mahbubul Alam Salehi, on June 18.
Earlier, Public Safety Tribunal Judge Jahangir Alam Mollah refused to conduct the case citing "unavoidable circumstances" and transferred it to the district judge's court on August 20.
Prof Dr S Taher, a senior teacher of geology and mining department of Rajshahi University, was killed on February 1 in 2006 and police recovered his body from a sewer near his house on the university campus on February 3.
According to prosecution, Dr Mohiuddin of same department and Salehi are the masterminds in the killing.
Three suspects -- Jahangir, Salam and Nazmul -- in their separate judicial confessional statements confirmed Mohiuddin and Salehi's involvement. Azimuddin Munshi, father of Jahangir and Salam, is another accused in the case.
Trial in the Dr S Taher murder case resumed at Rajshahi Divisional Speedy Trial Tribunal yesterday after nearly four months.
Judge ATM Mesbahuddoula of the tribunal yesterday fixed January 6 to January 10 for recording deposition of the prosecution witnesses when the case documents were placed before his court.
Out of 60 prosecution witnesses, depositions of 29 PWs have already been recorded, court officials said.
The court of District and Sessions Judge AR Masud stayed the proceedings of the case for an indefinite period on October 7 following an erroneous gazette notification of the government.
The government in its September 17 gazette notification opted for holding trial of the case by the divisional speedy trial tribunal.
Trial of the case started at the public safety tribunal with framing charges against six people, including RU teacher Dr Mia Mohammad Mohiuddin and former RU Shibir president Mahbubul Alam Salehi, on June 18.
Earlier, Public Safety Tribunal Judge Jahangir Alam Mollah refused to conduct the case citing "unavoidable circumstances" and transferred it to the district judge's court on August 20.
Prof Dr S Taher, a senior teacher of geology and mining department of Rajshahi University, was killed on February 1 in 2006 and police recovered his body from a sewer near his house on the university campus on February 3.
According to prosecution, Dr Mohiuddin of same department and Salehi are the masterminds in the killing.
Three suspects -- Jahangir, Salam and Nazmul -- in their separate judicial confessional statements confirmed Mohiuddin and Salehi's involvement. Azimuddin Munshi, father of Jahangir and Salam, is another accused in the case.
9 October 2007
Prof Taher murder trial stayed due to date error
Trial of Prof S Taher Ahmed murder case has been stayed due to error in gazette notification.
Six persons including Rajshahi University teacher Mia Mohammad Mohiuddin and Islami Chhatra Shibir leader Mahbubul Alam Salehi are accused in the case.
The Court of District and Sessions Judge in Rajshahi that ordered the stay on Sunday said the stay would continue until the government corrects the mistakes regarding essential dates in the gazette notification.
The government in the gazette notification recently opted for holding trial of the case by Rajshahi Speedy Trial Tribunal.
Accordingly, as the case was shifted to the tribunal on September 19, the tribunal refused to accept it citing errors about some dates in the gazette notification and returned the case documents to the the District and Sessions Judge's Court.
The judge's court sent the case documents to the concerned ministry for correction. Sunday was the scheduled date of the case. As the government could not produce the corrected gazette notification before the court till Sunday, the court issued the stay order, said court officials.
Prosecution lawyers said the date complexity might delay the trial for an indefinite period while the accused are trying to influence the case.
“We are worried as an influential accused [in the case] is enjoying bail and there was pressure for saving Shibir leader Salehi,” said a lawyer seeking anonymity.
The case was transferred it to the district judge's court on August 20.
Prof Taher, a senior teacher of geology and mining department, was killed on February 1, 2006 and police recovered his body from a sewer behind his house on RU campus on February 3.
According to the prosecution, Prof Mia Muhammad Mohiuddin of the same department, and former RU Shibir president Mahbubul Alam Salehi masterminded the killing of Taher, promising hired killers with computers and jobs.
Three killer suspects Jahangir, Salam and Nazmul in judicial confessional statements confirmed Mohiuddin and Salehi's involvement. Azimuddin Munshi is another accused in the case.
Mohiuddin allegedly masterminded the murder apprehending damage to his teaching career by Prof Taher who allegedly detected plagiarism and piracy in 10 out of 11 research papers that Mohiuddin submitted with his prayer for promotion, investigation officials told courts.
Prof Mohiuddin and Azimuddin were enjoying bail from the High Court.
At least 29 witnesses out of over 60 have provided their accounts since the trial of the case began in the Public Safety Tribunal on July 3. The charges were also framed at the same court on June 18. Police submitted charge sheet of the case on March 18.
Six persons including Rajshahi University teacher Mia Mohammad Mohiuddin and Islami Chhatra Shibir leader Mahbubul Alam Salehi are accused in the case.
The Court of District and Sessions Judge in Rajshahi that ordered the stay on Sunday said the stay would continue until the government corrects the mistakes regarding essential dates in the gazette notification.
The government in the gazette notification recently opted for holding trial of the case by Rajshahi Speedy Trial Tribunal.
Accordingly, as the case was shifted to the tribunal on September 19, the tribunal refused to accept it citing errors about some dates in the gazette notification and returned the case documents to the the District and Sessions Judge's Court.
The judge's court sent the case documents to the concerned ministry for correction. Sunday was the scheduled date of the case. As the government could not produce the corrected gazette notification before the court till Sunday, the court issued the stay order, said court officials.
Prosecution lawyers said the date complexity might delay the trial for an indefinite period while the accused are trying to influence the case.
“We are worried as an influential accused [in the case] is enjoying bail and there was pressure for saving Shibir leader Salehi,” said a lawyer seeking anonymity.
The case was transferred it to the district judge's court on August 20.
Prof Taher, a senior teacher of geology and mining department, was killed on February 1, 2006 and police recovered his body from a sewer behind his house on RU campus on February 3.
According to the prosecution, Prof Mia Muhammad Mohiuddin of the same department, and former RU Shibir president Mahbubul Alam Salehi masterminded the killing of Taher, promising hired killers with computers and jobs.
Three killer suspects Jahangir, Salam and Nazmul in judicial confessional statements confirmed Mohiuddin and Salehi's involvement. Azimuddin Munshi is another accused in the case.
Mohiuddin allegedly masterminded the murder apprehending damage to his teaching career by Prof Taher who allegedly detected plagiarism and piracy in 10 out of 11 research papers that Mohiuddin submitted with his prayer for promotion, investigation officials told courts.
Prof Mohiuddin and Azimuddin were enjoying bail from the High Court.
At least 29 witnesses out of over 60 have provided their accounts since the trial of the case began in the Public Safety Tribunal on July 3. The charges were also framed at the same court on June 18. Police submitted charge sheet of the case on March 18.
10 September 2007
RU Prof Taher murder case resumes Sept 27
Staff Correspondent, Rajshahi
Rajshahi district and sessions judge yesterday decided to proceed with the trial of a case filed for killing Rajshahi University (RU) teacher Prof S Taher Ahmed from September 27.
The case was shifted to the district and sessions judge's court from public safety tribunal on August 20 as Jahangir Alam Mollah, judge of the tribunal in Rajshahi, refused to conduct the proceedings due to "unavoidable circumstances".
The court of District and Sessions Judge AR Masud also rejected bail petition of former president of RU unit of Islami Chhatra Shibir Mahbubul Alam Salehi, also a prime accused in the case.
Both prosecution and defence lawyers locked into a heated debate over the public safety tribunal's refusal to move the case.
The prosecution lawyers told the court that the tribunal declined to move the case following threats from a suspected killer, who is currently enjoying bail from the high court.
They also alleged that the same accused hurled abuses to Taher's wife and Sub-Inspector Achanul Kabir, an investigation officer of the case, on the court premises earlier.
The defense lawyers told the court that it was the complainant, who pressurised the tribunal judge to take the decision.
Prof Taher, a teacher of geology and mining department, was killed on February 1, 2006. Police recovered his body from a sewer behind his house on RU campus on February 3.
Police submitted charge sheet accusing six people including two suspected masterminds-- Taher's colleague Prof Mia Muhammad Mohiuddin and Salehi-- on March 18.
The other accused are Jahangir, Salam, Nazmul and Azimuddin Munshi. Of them, the first three in their judicial confessional statements said Salehi confirmed Taher's death pressing a pillow on his face. Later, Mohiuddin celebrated the death with Salehi.
At least 26 witnesses have given their accounts since the beginning of the trial in the public safety tribunal on July 3.
According to the prosecution, Mohiuddin and Salehi masterminded the killing by professional killers. They promised the killers jobs in the university.
Investigation officials also told the court that Mohiuddin plotted the murder apprehending a possible dent to his career by Prof Taher, who detected plagiarism and piracy in Mohiuddin's 10 out of 11 research papers submitted to the authorities with a prayer for promotion.
Rajshahi district and sessions judge yesterday decided to proceed with the trial of a case filed for killing Rajshahi University (RU) teacher Prof S Taher Ahmed from September 27.
The case was shifted to the district and sessions judge's court from public safety tribunal on August 20 as Jahangir Alam Mollah, judge of the tribunal in Rajshahi, refused to conduct the proceedings due to "unavoidable circumstances".
The court of District and Sessions Judge AR Masud also rejected bail petition of former president of RU unit of Islami Chhatra Shibir Mahbubul Alam Salehi, also a prime accused in the case.
Both prosecution and defence lawyers locked into a heated debate over the public safety tribunal's refusal to move the case.
The prosecution lawyers told the court that the tribunal declined to move the case following threats from a suspected killer, who is currently enjoying bail from the high court.
They also alleged that the same accused hurled abuses to Taher's wife and Sub-Inspector Achanul Kabir, an investigation officer of the case, on the court premises earlier.
The defense lawyers told the court that it was the complainant, who pressurised the tribunal judge to take the decision.
Prof Taher, a teacher of geology and mining department, was killed on February 1, 2006. Police recovered his body from a sewer behind his house on RU campus on February 3.
Police submitted charge sheet accusing six people including two suspected masterminds-- Taher's colleague Prof Mia Muhammad Mohiuddin and Salehi-- on March 18.
The other accused are Jahangir, Salam, Nazmul and Azimuddin Munshi. Of them, the first three in their judicial confessional statements said Salehi confirmed Taher's death pressing a pillow on his face. Later, Mohiuddin celebrated the death with Salehi.
At least 26 witnesses have given their accounts since the beginning of the trial in the public safety tribunal on July 3.
According to the prosecution, Mohiuddin and Salehi masterminded the killing by professional killers. They promised the killers jobs in the university.
Investigation officials also told the court that Mohiuddin plotted the murder apprehending a possible dent to his career by Prof Taher, who detected plagiarism and piracy in Mohiuddin's 10 out of 11 research papers submitted to the authorities with a prayer for promotion.
22 August 2007
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.
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.
4 July 2007
Prof Taher Murder: Trial of RU teacher, Salehi begins
Staff Correspondent, Rajshahi
The trial of Rajshahi University (RU) professor Dr Mia Mohammad Mohiuddin, Islami Chhatra Shibir RU unit president Mahbubul Alam Salehi, and four others for murdering RU professor Dr S Taher Ahmed began in Rajshahi yesterday.
The court of public safety tribunal and special sessions judge Jahangir Alam Mollah recorded depositions from four witnesses -- plaintiff Sanjid Alvi Ahmed (the victim's son), victim's neighbour and RU teacher Prof Kamal Mostafa, RU assistant proctor Rabiul Islam and victim's nephew Ziauddin.
Charges against six accused were framed on July 18 after police pressed charges on March 18.
Prof Mohiuddin, currently on bail granted by the High Court, Salehi and the other four accused -- Jahangir, Salam, Nazmul and Azimuddin Munshi -- were produced before the court.
According to the charges, RU professor Mohiuddin and student leader Salehi masterminded Dr Taher's murder and employed hired guns to kill him.
The trial of Rajshahi University (RU) professor Dr Mia Mohammad Mohiuddin, Islami Chhatra Shibir RU unit president Mahbubul Alam Salehi, and four others for murdering RU professor Dr S Taher Ahmed began in Rajshahi yesterday.
The court of public safety tribunal and special sessions judge Jahangir Alam Mollah recorded depositions from four witnesses -- plaintiff Sanjid Alvi Ahmed (the victim's son), victim's neighbour and RU teacher Prof Kamal Mostafa, RU assistant proctor Rabiul Islam and victim's nephew Ziauddin.
Charges against six accused were framed on July 18 after police pressed charges on March 18.
Prof Mohiuddin, currently on bail granted by the High Court, Salehi and the other four accused -- Jahangir, Salam, Nazmul and Azimuddin Munshi -- were produced before the court.
According to the charges, RU professor Mohiuddin and student leader Salehi masterminded Dr Taher's murder and employed hired guns to kill him.
24 April 2007
Shibir leader Salehi finally surrenders, sent to jail
Staff Correspondent, Rajshahi
The prime accused in Rajshahi University (RU) professor S Taher Ahmed murder case and RU Islami Chhatra Shibir president Mahbubul Alam Salehi was sent to jail yesterday after he appeared before a court here to seek ad interim bail.
Rajshahi District and Sessions Judge Abu Bakar Siddik passed the order.
Pressurised by continued police attempts to catch him, Salehi obtained ad interim bail from High Court on July 3 in 2006. On January 1 this year, the HC bail was extended for the third time.
But the bail, granted for no criminal charges against him till then, went useless on March 18 last when police submitted charge sheet accusing Salehi and five others -- Prof Mia Muhammad Mohiuddin, Zahangir, Salam, Nazmul and Azimuddin in the case. A magistrate court issued arrest warrant against him following the charge sheet.
On March 29, the HC bench of Mainul Islam Chowdhury rejected Salehi's anticipatory bail petition and asked him to surrender before the magistrate court.
Contacted over phone, Prof Taher's family members told that they fear that Salehi might get away without any punishment due to the flaws in investigation. They also said that the investigation so far had revealed that Salehi took away the revolver, used in murder, and some documents belonging to Prof Taher.
"His (Salehi) interrogation may reveal significant information on the killing," Taher's wife Sultana Ahmed said.
Investigation Officer (IO) of the case Achanul Kabir also agreed on the point when contacted over phone, but he noted that since the case is currently under trial, there is no scope for further interrogation.
"Still there is adequate strong evidence for proving the charges against Salehi," he said adding that some other important pieces of evidence are yet to be produced before court.
Apart from the judicial confessions of Zahangir, Salam and Nazmul, Salehi's activities since the murder amply prove that Mohiuddin hired Salehi for his political influence to carry out the murder, the IO said.
In addition, the police have gathered photographs and videos proving close ties of Salehi and Mohiuddin, he added.
A teacher of Geology and Mining Department, Prof Taher was killed on February 1, 2006. His body was recovered from a sewer at the back of his quarters on RU campus on February 3.
The prime accused in Rajshahi University (RU) professor S Taher Ahmed murder case and RU Islami Chhatra Shibir president Mahbubul Alam Salehi was sent to jail yesterday after he appeared before a court here to seek ad interim bail.
Rajshahi District and Sessions Judge Abu Bakar Siddik passed the order.
Pressurised by continued police attempts to catch him, Salehi obtained ad interim bail from High Court on July 3 in 2006. On January 1 this year, the HC bail was extended for the third time.
But the bail, granted for no criminal charges against him till then, went useless on March 18 last when police submitted charge sheet accusing Salehi and five others -- Prof Mia Muhammad Mohiuddin, Zahangir, Salam, Nazmul and Azimuddin in the case. A magistrate court issued arrest warrant against him following the charge sheet.
On March 29, the HC bench of Mainul Islam Chowdhury rejected Salehi's anticipatory bail petition and asked him to surrender before the magistrate court.
Contacted over phone, Prof Taher's family members told that they fear that Salehi might get away without any punishment due to the flaws in investigation. They also said that the investigation so far had revealed that Salehi took away the revolver, used in murder, and some documents belonging to Prof Taher.
"His (Salehi) interrogation may reveal significant information on the killing," Taher's wife Sultana Ahmed said.
Investigation Officer (IO) of the case Achanul Kabir also agreed on the point when contacted over phone, but he noted that since the case is currently under trial, there is no scope for further interrogation.
"Still there is adequate strong evidence for proving the charges against Salehi," he said adding that some other important pieces of evidence are yet to be produced before court.
Apart from the judicial confessions of Zahangir, Salam and Nazmul, Salehi's activities since the murder amply prove that Mohiuddin hired Salehi for his political influence to carry out the murder, the IO said.
In addition, the police have gathered photographs and videos proving close ties of Salehi and Mohiuddin, he added.
A teacher of Geology and Mining Department, Prof Taher was killed on February 1, 2006. His body was recovered from a sewer at the back of his quarters on RU campus on February 3.
22 March 2007
Prof Taher Murder: Arrest warrant against Shibir leader Salehi
Staff Correspondent, Rajshahi
The Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court in Rajshahi yesterday issued arrest warrant against Mahbubul Alam Salehi, president of RU unit Islami Chhatra Shibir, the main accused in Rajshahi University professor S Taher Ahmed murder case.
The High Court earlier granted bail for Salehi but it was cancelled as he violated the HC bail conditions of appearing before the lower court, said the lawyers concerned.
The bail granted on grounds of no charges against him also went useless on March 18 when charges of the murder were pressed against six people including him, sources said, adding that as he did not attend the lower court as per the condition in the HC bail, his arrest warrant was issued.
Salehi, who was seen roaming freely in the city with local Jamaat leaders during the BNP-Jamaat coalition rule, went into hiding after issuance of the emergency on January 11.
Another principal accused of the murder Prof Mia Mohammad Mohiuddin may flee abroad, investigation officer (IO) of the case in the requisition petition told the court.
Mohiuddin was selling out his properties providing grounds to believe that he may leave the country, the IO added.
Azimuddin Munshi, a charge-sheeted accused of the case, is now on bail while three self-confessed killers of Prof Taher -- Abdus Salam, Zahangir and Nazmul -- who are now in jail, submitted their prayers for bail on grounds that other accused, including the principal ones, were enjoying bail.
Prof Taher was killed on February 1 in 2005 and his body was found in a sewer behind his home on RU campus on February 3.
The Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court in Rajshahi yesterday issued arrest warrant against Mahbubul Alam Salehi, president of RU unit Islami Chhatra Shibir, the main accused in Rajshahi University professor S Taher Ahmed murder case.
The High Court earlier granted bail for Salehi but it was cancelled as he violated the HC bail conditions of appearing before the lower court, said the lawyers concerned.
The bail granted on grounds of no charges against him also went useless on March 18 when charges of the murder were pressed against six people including him, sources said, adding that as he did not attend the lower court as per the condition in the HC bail, his arrest warrant was issued.
Salehi, who was seen roaming freely in the city with local Jamaat leaders during the BNP-Jamaat coalition rule, went into hiding after issuance of the emergency on January 11.
Another principal accused of the murder Prof Mia Mohammad Mohiuddin may flee abroad, investigation officer (IO) of the case in the requisition petition told the court.
Mohiuddin was selling out his properties providing grounds to believe that he may leave the country, the IO added.
Azimuddin Munshi, a charge-sheeted accused of the case, is now on bail while three self-confessed killers of Prof Taher -- Abdus Salam, Zahangir and Nazmul -- who are now in jail, submitted their prayers for bail on grounds that other accused, including the principal ones, were enjoying bail.
Prof Taher was killed on February 1 in 2005 and his body was found in a sewer behind his home on RU campus on February 3.
19 March 2007
RU Prof Taher Murder: Charges pressed against Prof Mohiuddin, Shibir leader Salehi, 4 others
Staff Correspondent, Rajshahi
Police yesterday submitted charge sheet in the Rajshahi University (RU) Prof S Taher Ahmed murder case accusing six persons including pro-BNP teacher Prof Mia Mohammad Mohiuddin and RU unit Islami Chhatra Shibir president Mahbubul Alam Salehi.
The other accused are Abdus Salam, Jahangir Alam, Azimuddin Munshi and Nazmul Islam.
Sub inspectors Faruk Hossain of Motihar Police Station along with Achhanul Kabir and Golam Mahfuz of Detective Branch jointly submitted the charge sheet before the chief metropolitan magistrate's court.
Submission of the charge sheet was delayed due to political pressure although investigation of the murder was completed in May last year.
According to the charge sheet, Mohiuddin masterminded the murder in apprehension of damages to his career by Prof Taher, a senior teacher of Geology and Mining department of RU, who detected 'plagiarism and piracy' in 10 out of total 11 research papers submitted by Mohiuddin with his promotion petition.
Mohiuddin then hired Salehi for murdering Taher and in return, he promised Salehi to ensure good results in Masters, MPhil, PhD and appointment as a teacher at the university. Mohiuddin also persuaded Salam, Nazmul and Jahangir with personal computers and jobs at the university, the charge sheet also said.
Prof Mohiuddin and Salehi, both are now freed on bail from the High Court (HC). Salehi went into hiding after obtaining the bail.
Prof Taher was killed on February 1 in 2005 and his body was found in a sewer pit behind his home on RU campus on February 3.
Prof Mohiuddin, Jahangir, Salam and Nazmul were arrested within a week of the murder.
The three arrested accused killers and five among 48 witnesses provided judicial confessions and statements confirming Mohiuddin and Salehi's involvement in the murder, which was executed by Jahangir, Salam and Nazmul.
Police yesterday submitted charge sheet in the Rajshahi University (RU) Prof S Taher Ahmed murder case accusing six persons including pro-BNP teacher Prof Mia Mohammad Mohiuddin and RU unit Islami Chhatra Shibir president Mahbubul Alam Salehi.
The other accused are Abdus Salam, Jahangir Alam, Azimuddin Munshi and Nazmul Islam.
Sub inspectors Faruk Hossain of Motihar Police Station along with Achhanul Kabir and Golam Mahfuz of Detective Branch jointly submitted the charge sheet before the chief metropolitan magistrate's court.
Submission of the charge sheet was delayed due to political pressure although investigation of the murder was completed in May last year.
According to the charge sheet, Mohiuddin masterminded the murder in apprehension of damages to his career by Prof Taher, a senior teacher of Geology and Mining department of RU, who detected 'plagiarism and piracy' in 10 out of total 11 research papers submitted by Mohiuddin with his promotion petition.
Mohiuddin then hired Salehi for murdering Taher and in return, he promised Salehi to ensure good results in Masters, MPhil, PhD and appointment as a teacher at the university. Mohiuddin also persuaded Salam, Nazmul and Jahangir with personal computers and jobs at the university, the charge sheet also said.
Prof Mohiuddin and Salehi, both are now freed on bail from the High Court (HC). Salehi went into hiding after obtaining the bail.
Prof Taher was killed on February 1 in 2005 and his body was found in a sewer pit behind his home on RU campus on February 3.
Prof Mohiuddin, Jahangir, Salam and Nazmul were arrested within a week of the murder.
The three arrested accused killers and five among 48 witnesses provided judicial confessions and statements confirming Mohiuddin and Salehi's involvement in the murder, which was executed by Jahangir, Salam and Nazmul.
8 November 2006
Prof Taher Murder Case: Charge sheet yet to be submitted
Anwar Ali, Rajshahi
The charge sheet in the Prof Dr S Taher Ahmed murder case is yet to be submitted although six months have elapsed after the completion of investigation into the murder of the Rajshahi University (RU) teacher.
The submission of the charge sheet is being delayed as the police high-ups are yet to give the investigation officer (IO) a green light in this regard.
Family members of Prof Taher alleged that the delay is a ploy to save the prime accused, RU Islami Chhatra Shibir President Mahbubul Alam Salehi.
"I met Khoda Bux Chowdhury, presently the Inspector General of Police, several times in the recent past when he was in charge of the monitoring cell of the home ministry for sensational cases. He told me that submission of the charge sheet would be delayed due to the lack of a key witness," Taher's son Sanjid Alvi Ahmed told The Daily Star.
Four accused -- Jahangir, Salam, Nazmul and Prof Mia Muhammad Mohiuddin -- were arrested within a week of the murder in February.
On February 1, Taher went missing just after he reached Rajshahi from Dhaka. His body was found in the sewer behind his campus house in the morning of February 3.
According to judicial confessions made by three accused and judicial statements given by five witnesses, out of 43, Prof Mohiuddin and Salehi plotted the murder for their personal and political gains and Jahangir, Salam and Nazmul committed the crime.
Sources in the Rajshahi Metropolitan Police (RMP) said the IO was recently asked not to submit the charge sheet until a 'direct witness with regard to Salehi's involvement' is found.
"Mystery of the murder has been unravelled. We are now waiting for the high officials' nod," IO Achchanul Kabir said but declined to elaborate. He had sent a draft charge sheet to the home ministry on May 10 for approval.
Taking advantage of the delay in submitting the charge sheet, Prof Mohiuddin has appealed for the transfer of Tk 30,000 from his bank account to his wife's while three other accused prayed for withdrawal of their judicial statements, court and jail sources said.
In June, former Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Commissioner Naim Ahmed was transferred to Rajshahi DIG post after he told journalists that the police are ready to press charges against the accused.
Jamaat-Shibir leaders had strongly criticised the former RMP Commissioner in open meetings for implicating Salehi in the case. After his transfer, Salehi was freed on bail.
The charge sheet in the Prof Dr S Taher Ahmed murder case is yet to be submitted although six months have elapsed after the completion of investigation into the murder of the Rajshahi University (RU) teacher.
The submission of the charge sheet is being delayed as the police high-ups are yet to give the investigation officer (IO) a green light in this regard.
Family members of Prof Taher alleged that the delay is a ploy to save the prime accused, RU Islami Chhatra Shibir President Mahbubul Alam Salehi.
"I met Khoda Bux Chowdhury, presently the Inspector General of Police, several times in the recent past when he was in charge of the monitoring cell of the home ministry for sensational cases. He told me that submission of the charge sheet would be delayed due to the lack of a key witness," Taher's son Sanjid Alvi Ahmed told The Daily Star.
Four accused -- Jahangir, Salam, Nazmul and Prof Mia Muhammad Mohiuddin -- were arrested within a week of the murder in February.
On February 1, Taher went missing just after he reached Rajshahi from Dhaka. His body was found in the sewer behind his campus house in the morning of February 3.
According to judicial confessions made by three accused and judicial statements given by five witnesses, out of 43, Prof Mohiuddin and Salehi plotted the murder for their personal and political gains and Jahangir, Salam and Nazmul committed the crime.
Sources in the Rajshahi Metropolitan Police (RMP) said the IO was recently asked not to submit the charge sheet until a 'direct witness with regard to Salehi's involvement' is found.
"Mystery of the murder has been unravelled. We are now waiting for the high officials' nod," IO Achchanul Kabir said but declined to elaborate. He had sent a draft charge sheet to the home ministry on May 10 for approval.
Taking advantage of the delay in submitting the charge sheet, Prof Mohiuddin has appealed for the transfer of Tk 30,000 from his bank account to his wife's while three other accused prayed for withdrawal of their judicial statements, court and jail sources said.
In June, former Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Commissioner Naim Ahmed was transferred to Rajshahi DIG post after he told journalists that the police are ready to press charges against the accused.
Jamaat-Shibir leaders had strongly criticised the former RMP Commissioner in open meetings for implicating Salehi in the case. After his transfer, Salehi was freed on bail.
8 October 2006
VC takes Iftar with RU Shibir leader Salehi
RU Correspondent
Rajshahi University (RU) vice-chancellor and other higher officials yesterday had Iftar with Mahbub Alam Salehi, one of the accused in Geology and Mining Department teacher Prof Taher Ahmed murder case.
The Iftar party was organised at the central cafeteria by Islami Chhatra Shibir RU unit with Salehi in the chair.
Pro-VC Prof Mamunul Keramat, Treasurer Prof Abdul Jabbar Khan, central Shibir President Shafiqul Islam Masud and Publication Secretary Rezaul Karim attended the Iftar party.
VC Prof Altaf Hossain lauded the activity of the Shibir on the campus terming it a 'disciplined' organisation.
An adverse reaction has been created among the teachers, students and staffs on the campus following the Iftar party.
Bangladesh Chhatra League RU unit President Ibrahim Hossian Moon, General Secretary Ayen Uddin, Chhatra Front President Susanta Sinha and Chhatra Union General Secretary S Promthes Shil in a joint statement condemned the university authorities for attending the Iftar party.
They said cooperation for trial of the killers of Prof Taher, Prof Yunus and others cann't be expected as it is helping the killers.
Despite repeated attempts, the VC could not be contacted for his comment.
Rajshahi University (RU) vice-chancellor and other higher officials yesterday had Iftar with Mahbub Alam Salehi, one of the accused in Geology and Mining Department teacher Prof Taher Ahmed murder case.
The Iftar party was organised at the central cafeteria by Islami Chhatra Shibir RU unit with Salehi in the chair.
Pro-VC Prof Mamunul Keramat, Treasurer Prof Abdul Jabbar Khan, central Shibir President Shafiqul Islam Masud and Publication Secretary Rezaul Karim attended the Iftar party.
VC Prof Altaf Hossain lauded the activity of the Shibir on the campus terming it a 'disciplined' organisation.
An adverse reaction has been created among the teachers, students and staffs on the campus following the Iftar party.
Bangladesh Chhatra League RU unit President Ibrahim Hossian Moon, General Secretary Ayen Uddin, Chhatra Front President Susanta Sinha and Chhatra Union General Secretary S Promthes Shil in a joint statement condemned the university authorities for attending the Iftar party.
They said cooperation for trial of the killers of Prof Taher, Prof Yunus and others cann't be expected as it is helping the killers.
Despite repeated attempts, the VC could not be contacted for his comment.
21 August 2006
Salehi Issue: 151 RU teachers protest violation of rules by VC
RU Correspondent
One hundred and fifty one teachers of Rajshahi University in a statement yesterday protested what they called violation of the University Act of 1973 by the vice-chancellor.
In the statement, they alleged that the university administration allowed RU Islami Chhatra Shibir president Mahabub Alam Salehi to appear at masters examination though his class attendance was only 16 per cent.
Salehi is a key suspect in the murder of geology and mining department teacher Prof Taher Ahmed, they said. Prof Taher was killed by hired killers on the campus on February 1.
The teachers in the statement said, "We are very much concerned that when general students were not allowed to appear at examination without 60 percent class attendance, Salehi was allowed with only 16 per cent because he enjoyed the blessing of Vice-chancellor Prof Altaf Hossain".
The decision was a 'gross violation' of Rajshahi University Act, 1973. By allowing Salehi with so poor class attendance, the university administration has pushed the university to a situation of anarchy and lawlessness, they said.
One hundred and fifty one teachers of Rajshahi University in a statement yesterday protested what they called violation of the University Act of 1973 by the vice-chancellor.
In the statement, they alleged that the university administration allowed RU Islami Chhatra Shibir president Mahabub Alam Salehi to appear at masters examination though his class attendance was only 16 per cent.
Salehi is a key suspect in the murder of geology and mining department teacher Prof Taher Ahmed, they said. Prof Taher was killed by hired killers on the campus on February 1.
The teachers in the statement said, "We are very much concerned that when general students were not allowed to appear at examination without 60 percent class attendance, Salehi was allowed with only 16 per cent because he enjoyed the blessing of Vice-chancellor Prof Altaf Hossain".
The decision was a 'gross violation' of Rajshahi University Act, 1973. By allowing Salehi with so poor class attendance, the university administration has pushed the university to a situation of anarchy and lawlessness, they said.
13 August 2006
Salehi back to campus with cop protection: RU buses used for bringing outsiders, Jamaat-Shibir men to join rally
Staff Correspondent, Rajshahi
Amid protests by students, Rajshahi University Islami Chhatra Shibir leader Mahbubul Alam Salehi, a key suspect in Professor S Taher Ahmed murder case, returned to the campus and attended a Shibir programme yesterday.
Salehi chaired the programme organised to observe Islamic Education Day with heavy police protection. Apart from pro-Jamaat teachers, officials and employees, a large number of outsiders including school and madrasa students joined the rally.
Jamaat and Shibir leaders addressing the rally blamed journalists and the police for "fabricating stories" on Salehi's involvement in Prof Taher murder.
Protesting Salehi's reappearance on the campus with the help of the police and RU administration, Progressive Students' Alliance (PSA) and Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) staged demonstrations behind the RU Central Library.
Police intercepted a PSA procession as the activists chanted slogans demanding arrest of Taher's killer. The armed cadres of Shibir and police barred BCL activists from bringing out a procession in front of the library. BCL later held a rally behind the library.
All 30 university buses and light vehicles were used allegedly for transporting the outsiders, Jamaat and Shibir leaders, from the city to the campus.
Proctor Enamul Haque admitted the use of RU vehicles by Shibir men but said they are not going to take any action against them. Asked why they allowed political rally on the campus, he said, "There is no provision for such rally, but they [Shibir] insisted on holding it."
Witnesses said a number of RU teachers welcomed Salehi when he reached the venue near the RU administrative building. Besides, assistant proctors and some pro-Jamaat teachers and officials met Salehi and assured him of ensuring tight security.
Prof Taher, a senior teacher of Geology and Mining Department, was murdered on February 3 this year. Three arrestees confessed to the murder and said they killed Taher at the diktat of the department teacher Mia Muhammad Mohiuddin and Salehi.
Salehi went into hiding just after the murder. Earlier he visited the campus on July 4.
RU teachers and students alleged that the Shibir rally affected their classes and examinations as they set up more than 30 loudspeakers at all academic buildings. Many students could not attend classes as Shibir men used the university buses.
Amid protests by students, Rajshahi University Islami Chhatra Shibir leader Mahbubul Alam Salehi, a key suspect in Professor S Taher Ahmed murder case, returned to the campus and attended a Shibir programme yesterday.
Salehi chaired the programme organised to observe Islamic Education Day with heavy police protection. Apart from pro-Jamaat teachers, officials and employees, a large number of outsiders including school and madrasa students joined the rally.
Jamaat and Shibir leaders addressing the rally blamed journalists and the police for "fabricating stories" on Salehi's involvement in Prof Taher murder.
Protesting Salehi's reappearance on the campus with the help of the police and RU administration, Progressive Students' Alliance (PSA) and Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) staged demonstrations behind the RU Central Library.
Police intercepted a PSA procession as the activists chanted slogans demanding arrest of Taher's killer. The armed cadres of Shibir and police barred BCL activists from bringing out a procession in front of the library. BCL later held a rally behind the library.
All 30 university buses and light vehicles were used allegedly for transporting the outsiders, Jamaat and Shibir leaders, from the city to the campus.
Proctor Enamul Haque admitted the use of RU vehicles by Shibir men but said they are not going to take any action against them. Asked why they allowed political rally on the campus, he said, "There is no provision for such rally, but they [Shibir] insisted on holding it."
Witnesses said a number of RU teachers welcomed Salehi when he reached the venue near the RU administrative building. Besides, assistant proctors and some pro-Jamaat teachers and officials met Salehi and assured him of ensuring tight security.
Prof Taher, a senior teacher of Geology and Mining Department, was murdered on February 3 this year. Three arrestees confessed to the murder and said they killed Taher at the diktat of the department teacher Mia Muhammad Mohiuddin and Salehi.
Salehi went into hiding just after the murder. Earlier he visited the campus on July 4.
RU teachers and students alleged that the Shibir rally affected their classes and examinations as they set up more than 30 loudspeakers at all academic buildings. Many students could not attend classes as Shibir men used the university buses.
12 August 2006
Prof Taher Ahmed Murder: Key suspect Salehi to enter RU campus today, address rally
Staff Correspondent, Rajshahi
Fresh tension has gripped Rajshahi University as the university unit of Islami Chhatra Shibir (ICS) announced that its president Mahbubul Alam Salehi will come to the campus today.
Salehi, a key suspect in S Taher Ahmed murder case, is scheduled to preside over a discussion meeting organised by Shibir on the campus this morning. He will address a grand rally, and attend a prize giving ceremony and a cultural programme celebrating Islami Education Day, where many central ICS and Jamaat leaders will also be present. The programme will be held in front of the university administrative building.
Sources said, thousands of ICS activists will gather at the programme and to make the rally successful hundreds of Shibir activists from outside the campus are already staying in different dormitories.
Shibir has been announcing Salehi's reappearance on the campus and in the city for the last several days using megaphones and it also put advertisements in local newspapers yesterday.
Salehi has been avoiding public appearance since he availed an anticipatory bail from the High Court on July 3 after he had been declared wanted by local police.
Earlier, RU Shibir had scheduled a rally on the campus on July 5 where Salehi was supposed to show up, but on security grounds it was later cancelled.
Three persons arrested in connection with the killing of Taher gave statements before magistrates implicating Prof Mia Muhammad Mohiuddin and Salehi in the murder, local police briefed their high ups about it in May.
The investigation officer (IO) seeking an order from the court on March 8 for confiscating Salehi's property told the court in writing that police have evidence proving Salehi's direct involvement in the murder.
"He (Salehi) went into hiding to avoid arrest. Charges will be brought against him", said the IO in the prayer.
According to other arrested suspects, the revolver used in the murder, and Taher's wallet and a mobile SIM card were taken by Salehi after the killing, police said.
Meanwhile, the Masters course examinations of geology and mining department is scheduled to begin today. Salehi is also an examinee but his examinations will start on August 17, department sources said.
A large number of police have been deployed at key points of the campus since last night.
Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) and left leaning student leaders in the meantime expressed concerns about today's rally by the fundamentalist student group ICS and Salehi's possible reappearance on the campus on the occasion.
They expressed their dissatisfaction with the university administration for allowing Salehi to enter the campus. Earlier, Shibir activists gave death threats to the university unit BCL president and general secretary after they had protested Salehi's plan to enter the campus.
Prof S Taher Ahmed, a senior pro-BNP teacher of the department of geology and mining, went missing on the night of February 1 and his body was found on February 3 morning inside a sewer behind his campus residence.
Salehi led a Shibir demonstration obstructing the funeral procession of Taher after his body had been found. After Salehi had been implicated in the murder, he first organised a Shibir-led movement professing his innocence, then after an arrest warrant had been issued against him he went into hiding until he got the anticipatory bail.
BCL, some left leaning student organisations, and general teachers and students were demanding his expulsion from the university all through the period. But, the vice-chancellor of the university through a special order allowed him to sit for the upcoming exams instead of expelling him.
Fresh tension has gripped Rajshahi University as the university unit of Islami Chhatra Shibir (ICS) announced that its president Mahbubul Alam Salehi will come to the campus today.
Salehi, a key suspect in S Taher Ahmed murder case, is scheduled to preside over a discussion meeting organised by Shibir on the campus this morning. He will address a grand rally, and attend a prize giving ceremony and a cultural programme celebrating Islami Education Day, where many central ICS and Jamaat leaders will also be present. The programme will be held in front of the university administrative building.
Sources said, thousands of ICS activists will gather at the programme and to make the rally successful hundreds of Shibir activists from outside the campus are already staying in different dormitories.
Shibir has been announcing Salehi's reappearance on the campus and in the city for the last several days using megaphones and it also put advertisements in local newspapers yesterday.
Salehi has been avoiding public appearance since he availed an anticipatory bail from the High Court on July 3 after he had been declared wanted by local police.
Earlier, RU Shibir had scheduled a rally on the campus on July 5 where Salehi was supposed to show up, but on security grounds it was later cancelled.
Three persons arrested in connection with the killing of Taher gave statements before magistrates implicating Prof Mia Muhammad Mohiuddin and Salehi in the murder, local police briefed their high ups about it in May.
The investigation officer (IO) seeking an order from the court on March 8 for confiscating Salehi's property told the court in writing that police have evidence proving Salehi's direct involvement in the murder.
"He (Salehi) went into hiding to avoid arrest. Charges will be brought against him", said the IO in the prayer.
According to other arrested suspects, the revolver used in the murder, and Taher's wallet and a mobile SIM card were taken by Salehi after the killing, police said.
Meanwhile, the Masters course examinations of geology and mining department is scheduled to begin today. Salehi is also an examinee but his examinations will start on August 17, department sources said.
A large number of police have been deployed at key points of the campus since last night.
Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) and left leaning student leaders in the meantime expressed concerns about today's rally by the fundamentalist student group ICS and Salehi's possible reappearance on the campus on the occasion.
They expressed their dissatisfaction with the university administration for allowing Salehi to enter the campus. Earlier, Shibir activists gave death threats to the university unit BCL president and general secretary after they had protested Salehi's plan to enter the campus.
Prof S Taher Ahmed, a senior pro-BNP teacher of the department of geology and mining, went missing on the night of February 1 and his body was found on February 3 morning inside a sewer behind his campus residence.
Salehi led a Shibir demonstration obstructing the funeral procession of Taher after his body had been found. After Salehi had been implicated in the murder, he first organised a Shibir-led movement professing his innocence, then after an arrest warrant had been issued against him he went into hiding until he got the anticipatory bail.
BCL, some left leaning student organisations, and general teachers and students were demanding his expulsion from the university all through the period. But, the vice-chancellor of the university through a special order allowed him to sit for the upcoming exams instead of expelling him.
31 July 2006
Heroin Smuggling: BB to probe BD Foods' transactions
Staff Correspondent
The Bangladesh Bank (BB) will ask 15 commercial banks to submit vouchers of 90,000 transactions carried out in the last three years by BD Foods Ltd, a company allegedly involved in heroin smuggling to the UK.
The central bank sources said they are going to collect the vouchers, following a request of the Central Investigation Department (CID), to find out any suspicious transaction between any group or person and BD Foods.
A senior BB official said the central bank will issue letters to the commercial banks today requesting information about BD Foods' banking between February 2003 and May 2006.
Sources said the central bank so far sent about 3,000 pages of documents to the CID in two phases since the intelligence agency had started the investigation. But, the CID has yet to trace the groups or persons with whom BD Foods had suspicious transactions in the last few years.
"So, the CID has asked for vouchers of all transactions carried out by BD Foods in the last three years," the BB official told The Daily Star. The CID will examine all the vouchers and interrogate any suspect party, he said.
Earlier, the Bangladesh Bank collected vouchers of some big deals done by BD Foods. The bank's sources said details of 360 bank transactions, each involving over Tk 1 crore, will be sent to the CID today.
"We think these 360 vouchers will be important documents in the process of investigating BD Foods' heroin smuggling to the UK," the official said.
The central bank also found 83 bank accounts of BD Foods and its sister concerns in which transactions of TK 331 crore were reported in the last three years. Of these bank accounts, BD Foods has 30 in Islami Bank Bangladesh Ltd and 28 in Exim Bank Ltd.
The UK customs in May 2005 accused Bangladeshi business firms of smuggling heroin to the UK in the guise of exporting food, toiletries, cosmetics and floor tiles. A National Board of Revenue (NBR) investigation confirmed the validity of the UK customs' allegations and involvement of BD Foods Ltd in the racket.
The Bangladesh Bank (BB) will ask 15 commercial banks to submit vouchers of 90,000 transactions carried out in the last three years by BD Foods Ltd, a company allegedly involved in heroin smuggling to the UK.
The central bank sources said they are going to collect the vouchers, following a request of the Central Investigation Department (CID), to find out any suspicious transaction between any group or person and BD Foods.
A senior BB official said the central bank will issue letters to the commercial banks today requesting information about BD Foods' banking between February 2003 and May 2006.
Sources said the central bank so far sent about 3,000 pages of documents to the CID in two phases since the intelligence agency had started the investigation. But, the CID has yet to trace the groups or persons with whom BD Foods had suspicious transactions in the last few years.
"So, the CID has asked for vouchers of all transactions carried out by BD Foods in the last three years," the BB official told The Daily Star. The CID will examine all the vouchers and interrogate any suspect party, he said.
Earlier, the Bangladesh Bank collected vouchers of some big deals done by BD Foods. The bank's sources said details of 360 bank transactions, each involving over Tk 1 crore, will be sent to the CID today.
"We think these 360 vouchers will be important documents in the process of investigating BD Foods' heroin smuggling to the UK," the official said.
The central bank also found 83 bank accounts of BD Foods and its sister concerns in which transactions of TK 331 crore were reported in the last three years. Of these bank accounts, BD Foods has 30 in Islami Bank Bangladesh Ltd and 28 in Exim Bank Ltd.
The UK customs in May 2005 accused Bangladeshi business firms of smuggling heroin to the UK in the guise of exporting food, toiletries, cosmetics and floor tiles. A National Board of Revenue (NBR) investigation confirmed the validity of the UK customs' allegations and involvement of BD Foods Ltd in the racket.
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