The much-delayed trial in Jahangirnagar University student Zubair Ahmed murder case cannot commence though the 13 accused, activists of ruling party’s student wing Bangladesh Chhatra League, were indicted on September 8.
The trial was supposed to begin on September 12. But that day, the judge of Speedy Trial Tribunal 4 did not come to the court as he was ill. The first prosecution witness, plaintiff Hamidur Rahman, was also absent for the same reason.
Then the court set on Wednesday for beginning the trial. But the date was rescheduled to September 24 upon a prosecution plea seeking adjournment of the hearing as the witness could not come to the court because of hartal.
Public prosecutor SM Rafiqul Islam filed the time petition. Acting judge Md Nuruzzman granted the petition.
The case was transferred to the tribunal on August 18 for its quick disposal. According to provision, cases under the tribunal have to be settled within 135 working days. But a judge can extend the time citing proper reasons.
Hamidur, deputy registrar of the university, filed the case with Ashulia police station after Zubair succumbed to his injuries on January 9 last year. A former Chhatra League activist, Zubair was an honours final year student of English department.
The previous afternoon, he had been beaten and chopped on the campus by the accused and their accomplices, who belonged to a rival faction.
Police submitted the chargesheet on April 8 last year and named 37 witnesses, comprising four teachers and 33 security guards of the university.