The family members of Ahsanullah Master, a prominent Gazipur politician and Awami League MP who was shot and killed on May 7, 2004, are still awaiting justice as the hearings of appeals related to the murder case remain pending with the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court even after seven years.
The appeals were filed by both the state and the defendants in the murder case against a 2016 High Court order.
The leader was killed while addressing a local conference held at a school ground near his home in Noagaon near Tongi. The attack, in broad daylight, left a young man Faruq Ratan dead and 17 others wounded.
Sunday marks the 19th death anniversary of the slain lawmaker.
Following the shooting, Ahsan Ullah's brother filed the murder case accusing 17 named and some 10-12 unnamed persons with the Tongi police station.
Police submitted the charge sheet and charges were framed against 30 people in October 2004.
The Speedy Trial Tribunal on April 16, 2005, handed down the death penalty to 22 people, including the main accused, BNP leader Nurul Islam Sarkar, and life imprisonment to six others for the high-profile murder.
Later a death reference was sent to the High Court on the judgment of the trial court. Apart from this, the accused have filed a jail appeal.
A decade later, in June 2016, the High Court upheld death sentences awarded by a trial court to BNP leader Nurul Islam Sarkar and five others for killing the Awami League leader.
Eleven people were acquitted of death sentences. Two died during trial and were exempted from the charges. Currently, 17 are in jail and nine of the convicts are absconding.
Meanwhile, the state filed an appeal seeking suspension of the judgment of the 11 acquitted in the Ahsanullah Master murder case.
They are - Amir Hossain, Jahangir alias Bara Jahangir, Faisal (absconder), Lokman Hossain alias Bulu, Roni Mia alias Roni Fakir (absconder), Khokon (absconder), Dulal Mia, Rakib Uddin Sarkar alias Pappu, Ayub Ali, Jahangir and Monir.
Three of the 11 convicts are absconding and have been sentenced to death.
Attorney General AM Amin Uddin said that the state side is ready to hear the case and a hearing will be held when the case comes on the agenda.
Meanwhile, one of the defendant's lawyers Saifuddin Mahmud expressed hope that the case will be heard this year.
