The hearing in the high-profile Raihan murder case could not proceed on Wednesday as the prime accused, suspended police SI Akbar Hossain Bhuiyan, failed to appear in court.
The case was scheduled at the Sylhet Metropolitan Judge’s Court but was postponed due to the absence of a judge. Barrister Mohammad Abul Fazal Chowdhury, representing the case, said: “Since no new judge has joined, today’s hearing did not take place. The next hearing is scheduled for September 14.”
He added that, except for one of the six accused, none appeared in court. Former police ASI Ashiq Elahi, currently in jail, was the only one present.
SI Akbar had earlier secured bail from the High Court on August 10 but the Chamber Judge Court later suspended his bail and ordered him to surrender. Barrister Fazal said: “On August 14, the Chamber Judge Court suspended SI Akbar’s bail and ordered him to surrender to the lower court within 10 days. But he has not appeared. Reports suggest he may have fled, but his exact whereabouts are unknown.”
Raihan Uddin was picked up late at night on October 10, 2020, and tortured at Sylhet’s Bandarbazar police outpost. He was declared dead the next morning at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital, sparking nationwide outrage.