Justice waits in three August 15 cases

Forty-one years have elapsed but justice is yet to be delivered in three cases filed in connection with the murders of Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni and Abdur Rab Serniabat, and a mortar attack in Mohammadpur on August 15, 1975, the night Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was murdered along with his family members. Disgruntled army personnel killed Bangabandhu's nephew Moni, founding chairman of the Awami Jubo League, and his wife Arzu Moni at their Dhanmondi house. Bangabandhu's brother-in-law Serniabat, a former water resources minister, and seven others were murdered at his Minto Road residence. A mortar attack killed 14 others in Mohammadpur, raising the death toll to 34 on that fateful day. Three murder cases were filed in 1996 in connection with these incidents with three police stations in the capital. Although many years have passed, the family members of the victims are yet to get justice over the murders of their relatives.Serniabat murder caseIn the early hours of the August 15, a group of army personnel led by Maj Shahriar Rashid, Maj Aziz Pasha, Capt Majed and Capt Nurul Huda stormed Abdur Rab Serniabat's house on Minto Road, gathered the residents in the living room and shot them. Serniabat, his daughter Baby Serniabat, son Arif Serniabat, four-year-old grandson Babu Serniabat, nephew Shaheed Serniabat, domestic helps Potka and Laxmir Ma, and Abdur Naim Khan alias Rintu died on the spot. Nine others were severely injured. Abul Hasnat Abdullah, son of Abdur Rab Serniabat, escaped by hiding behind a door. Hasnat's wife Shahan Ara Begum, who was one of the injured, filed a case with Ramna police station accusing 18 people over the incident. On July 30, 1997, police submitted charge sheet against the 17 accused while the trial started with Dhaka First Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court on October 4, 1999. Later, the High Court stayed the case's proceedings following a petition filed by Bazlul Huda, one of the accused executed for Bangabandhu's murder. The High Court stay order on the case's proceedings remains in force till date.Sheikh Moni Murder caseAfter a lengthy investigation in the Sheikh Moni murder case, the Criminal Investigation Department submitted its final report in August 2002. The Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court in December 2002 accepted the report and acquitted all the accused without even notifying the complainant about the case. No move has been taken for further investigation over the murder case till now. Sheikh Moni's son Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh is currently a lawmaker of Awami League.Mohammadpur mortar attackFourteen people were killed by mortar shells fired in Mohammadpur on August 15, 1971. The CID submitted charges against 17 accused in July 1997 for the incident. The trial started on November 1, 2006 but remains pending with the Dhaka Fourth Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court due to non-appearance of the witnesses. So far, 15 prosecution witnesses have testified out of 58 witnesses. Additional Public Prosecutor Saiful Islam Helal said: “The court also issued arrest warrant against 11 prosecution witnesses as they did not appear for depositions despite summons against them.” Expressing frustration plaintiff Mohammad Ali, a freedom fighter who was injured in the attack yesterday said; ““I want to die after seeing the punishment of the killers.”