DHAKA, June 23, 2022 (BSS) -Daughter of Sagira Morshed today testified in the
case lodged over the murder of her mother in capital's Bailey Road area in
1989.
Sadia Chowdhury submitted her deposition at Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 and
later the defence started to cross-examine her. As the defence failed to
conclude their cross-examination till the end of the day's proceedings, Judge
Rafikul Islam of the tribunal adjourned the hearing till June 29.
Four persons including elder brother of Sagira Morshed's husband were
indicted on December 2, 2020, in the case lodged over the sensational murder
of the housewife.
Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge KM Imrul Qayesh framed charges against
Sagira's brother-in-law Dr Hasan Ali Chowdhury, his wife Sayedatul Mahmuda,
Mahmuda's brother Anas Mahmud alias Rezwan and contract killer Maruf Reza.
Earlier on March 9, 2020, the court accepted charge sheet, submitted by
investigation officer and Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) inspector
Rafikul Islam, against four accused on January 16.
Sagira Morshed, 34, was gunned down by unidentified muggers in front of
Viqarunnisa Noon School and College in the capital's Bailey Road on July 25,
1989.
Sagira's husband Salam Chowdhury filed the case on that day with Ramna Police
Station against unidentified miscreants. A rickshaw puller, who was present
at the crime scene, identified two of the killers, but police had filed the
initial charge sheet against one Montu.
Dhaka First Additional Sessions Judge Abu Bakar Siddique on January 17, 1991,
framed charges against Montu and testimonies of seven witnesses were also
recorded.
But during the hearing, the prosecution alleged that the name of Maruf Reza,
close relative of then home minister Mahmudul Hasan, came up during the
investigation and was also arrested. But his name was dropped from the charge
sheet.
Following a plea of the prosecution, the court on May 23, 1991, ordered for
further investigation. But the proceeding of the case was stayed by the High
Court as Maruf Reza filed a petition, challenging the further investigation
order.
But the High Court on June 26, 2019, cleared way for continuing the murder
case as it dismissed the rule that had stayed the trial proceedings.
A High Court division bench comprising Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice
Md Mostafizur Rahman passed the order, asking PBI to conduct further
investigation in the case and complete it within 60-working days.
PBI after that arrested the four and they have already confessed their role
in the killing of Sagira.