A Dhaka court has ordered the trial to begin against six accused in a murder and robbery case over the killing of television presenter and Islamic preacher Maulana Nurul Islam Faruqi at his home in the capital’s East Rajabazar more than a decade ago.
Dhaka Ninth Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge Shahidul Islam passed the order on Sunday, rejecting the discharge petitions filed by the accused and framing charges against them. The court fixed December 6 for recording witness testimony.
Public prosecutor Aminul Islam Sarker confirmed the matter.
The six accused are Abdullah Al Tasnim Nahid, Engineer alias Riaz alias Ripon, Abu Rayhan Mahmud Abdul Hadi, Hadisur Rahman Sagar, Mahmud Ibn Bashar and Rafiqul Islam Fardeen.
Of them, Nahid, Riaz and Hadi, who are currently out on bail, appeared before the court. Their lawyers, including Zayedur Rahman, sought their discharge from the case.
Hadisur Rahman Sagar, who is in custody, appeared before the court virtually.
Public prosecutor Aminul Islam Sarker argued in favour of framing charges. After hearing both sides, the court rejected the discharge petitions and ordered the trial to proceed.
The two other accused, Mahmud Ibn Bashar and Rafiqul Islam Fardeen, remain absconding.
On August 27, 2014, miscreants hacked and slit the throat of Maulana Nurul Islam Faruqi at his home in East Rajabazar, Dhaka. Police recovered his body later that night.
Following the killing, his university-going son, Faisal Faruqi, filed a murder case with Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station.
On November 5, 2024, nearly 10 years after the incident, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) submitted a charge sheet against six people.
The investigation officer, CID Additional Superintendent of Police KM Abul Kashem, brought murder and robbery charges against them.
According to the case statement, the attackers rang the doorbell of Faruqi's residence at around 7pm on the day of the incident.
After the door was opened, two men entered the house and sat with him in the drawing room.
A short while later, another six to seven people entered the house. As there were not enough chairs, Faruqi's nephew, Maruf Hossain, went inside to bring more.
When he returned, he saw the attackers holding a pistol and a machete to Faruqi's head. The assailants then tied up everyone in the house before killing him.
They also looted cash, mobile phones, gold ornaments and a camera before fleeing the scene.