The trial of Dr Narayan Chandra Dutta Nitai murder case has been sluggish for the last two months due to the embarrassment of the judge, created by the accused.
Repeated misbehaviour of the accused in the courtroom recently forced the judge, Md Jafrool Hasan of the Dhaka’s Special Judge’s Court 10, to consider transferring the case to another court.
So far, 11 out of 27 prosecution witnesses have testified in the case. The last witness testified two months back. The trial began in August 2013.
Dr Nitai, an assistant professor at National Institute of Diseases of the Chest and Hospital (NIDCH), was stabbed to death at his hospital quarters on August 23, 2012. The 47-year-old physician was also an executive councillor of Bangladesh Medical Association and central committee member of pro-government Swadhinata Chikitshak Parishad.
Dr Lucky Chowdhury, wife of the slain doctor, told the Dhaka Tribune: “We are in doubt about getting justice. The investigation officer did not inform us before submitting the charge sheet.”
She also said one of the accused, who was the driver of Nitai’s car, gave her death threat while giving deposition in the case.
According to the case, DB Inspector Gazi Ataur Rahman, also the investigation officer, submitted the charge sheet against 10 accused to the Dhaka’s Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court on February 11, 2013. They were indicted on July 22.
The indicted accused, all now in jail, are driver Kamrul Hasan Arun, Mintu alias Barogira Mintu, Md Rafiqul Islam, Sayeed Bepari, Bakul Mia, Md Hossain Mijhi, Foysal, Masum alias Peda Masum, Md Abul Kalam alias Pichchi Kalam and Md Saidul.
Of the accused, six gave confessional statement in the case.
Bench Assistant of the court Imrul Hossain said most of the accused used to hurl abusive targeting the judge in the courtroom. “It is hampering the case,” he added.
Court sources say following such frequent misbehaviour, the judge has decided to transfer the case to another court.
“If the court shifts the case, the trial will not be completed within short time,” a lawyer said seeking anonymity.
Public Prosecutor Abu Naser Swapan also blamed the accused for disrupting the trial procedure.