AL-linked accused trying to have 2021 murder case withdrawn as politically motivated, victim's family alleges

The family of Masud Rana, an expatriate based in
Italy, killed in Bhanga in 2021, allegedly by Awami League-linked individuals,
held a press conference today (5 May) to protest the alleged withdrawal of his
murder case through its classification as "politically motivated."
Mohammad Asaduzzaman, brother of the deceased,
said while reading out a written statement that Masud Rana was brutally killed
on 13 April 2021 in the Gazaria area of Bhanga upazila.
Following the murder, Asaduzzaman filed a murder
case at Bhanga Police Station on 15 April, naming 35 accused.
According to him, after completing the
investigation, Sub-Inspector Md Farhad Hossain of the district Detective Branch
filed charges on 27 September 2021. Faridpur's Additional Sessions Judge
Court-2 subsequently framed charges against the accused and began trial
proceedings, which are currently ongoing, with nine witnesses having already
testified.
Asaduzzaman said the main accused, Imdadul Haque
Bachchu, is vice-president of Bhanga Municipal Awami League, while other
accused persons are also affiliated with the Awami League, Jubo League, and
Chhatra League. They had previously used political influence to carry out
criminal activities in the area, he alleged.
Meanwhile, the victim's mother, Halima Begum,
said her son had spent 18 years in Italy before returning home, only to be
killed in a premeditated attack after he spoke out against injustice.
The family alleged that the accused recently
used their influence to have the case listed for withdrawal by classifying it
as "politically motivated."
A letter to that effect, signed by the Faridpur
district magistrate, was reportedly sent to various offices on 23 April.
"We fear we will be denied justice,"
Halima said, adding that the family is also being threatened to drop the case.
She appealed to the prime minister and relevant
authorities to ensure that the case not be treated as a political one, that
legal action be taken against the accused, and that justice be served.
Halima also urged journalists to report the
facts accurately and help ensure justice is done.















