A Dhaka court yesterday started trial in the much-talked murder case filed over the death of at least 112 workers in a devastating fire at Tazreen Fashions factory in Ashulia area in 2012.
Judge SM Saiful Islam of the Dhaka’s First Additional District and Sessions Judge’s Court recorded the testimonies of Sub-Inspector Khairul Alam, also the plaintiff, and Sub-Inspector Shahjalal Miah, the recording officer of the case.
Describing the incident in presence of some accused, SI Khairul told the court that the police had identified the bodies of 48 victims including Mousumi, Mosharafa, Dulali and Munni. The bodies were handed over to their family members.
“We handed over 60 more bodies to Anjuman Mufidul Islam to bury the victims as we could not identify them,” he added.
The duo were later cross examined by defence counsels TM Akbar Hossain and Faruk Ahamed, and the court adjourned the proceedings until February 7.
During the trial proceedings, Toba Group owner and Tazreen’s Managing Director Delwar Hossain, his wife and Tazreen Chairman Mahmuda Akter, and six others officials – Shahiduzzaman Dulal, M Mahbubul Morshed, Hamidul Islam, Md Al Amin (2) and Anisur Rahman – were present before the court.
The five other accused – Abdur Razzak, Md Rana, Shamim Miah and Mobarak Hossain Monju – are on the run.
According to the case documents, at least 112 workers, mostly women, were killed and scores wounded in the country’s worst industrial blaze at Tazreen Fashions located at Nishchintapur of Ashulia on November 24, 2012.
On December 22, 2013, Criminal Investigation department (CID) Inspector AKM Mohsinuzzaman Khan submitted the charge sheet brining homicide charges against the 13 accused in the case filed by Ashulia police. The accused were indicted on September 3.