A court in Dhaka has deferred its verdict on a double-murder case that names an Awami League MP’s son as the lone suspect.
The verdict was deferred on Thursday as the prosecution filed a petition to summon the investigation officer of the case for a rehearing.
Following the petition, Dhaka Additional Metropolitan Session Judge's court -1 Judge, Md Monjurul Imam, asked Dipak Kumar Das, the investigation officer of the case, to present a mobile call list to the court on October 17, a move which will allow the defense lawyers to question him again.
The prosecution in a written application said when the investigation officer (IO) of the case gave his statement to the court, the Call Details Record (CDR) of the case was not placed before the court. Now, the IO needs to appear before the court to show this evidence.
After hearing from the two sides, the court passed the order.
Awami League MP Pinu Khan’s son, Bakhtiar Alam Rony, stands accused of allegedly opening fire from his licensed gun under the influence of drugs, killing two people in 2015.
According to the charge sheet, a drunken Rony indiscriminately fired gunshots from his car near the Dilu Road area of New Eskaton in Dhaka more than three years ago.
The verdict was supposed to be given on May 8 but was deferred as the Judge at that time, Md Al Mamun, was unable to prepare the judgment.
The verdict once again has been delayed for the second time as the court agreed to hear a fresh testimony from a witness in the case.
After Das’s testimony, the court may announce a fresh date for the verdict.
Police say rickshaw-puller Abdul Hakim and auto-rickshaw driver Yakub were both injured in the incident. Hakim succumbed to his injuries at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital on April 15. Yakub also died on April 23.
Hakim’s mother, Monowara Begum, filed the murder case on April 15, 2015.
Rony was arrested on May 30, 2015, based on information provided by his driver, Imran Fakir. Rony’s friends, Tiger Kamal and Md Jahangir, who were present in the vehicle at the time of the shooting, also gave statements before the court.
Detective Branch Sub-Inspector (SI) Das charged Rony on July 21, 2015, after investigating the case. He brought murder charges against Rony, who faces death or imprisonment for life and may also be fined, if found guilty.
Das alleged the shooting might not have been intended to commit murder, but the suspect knew someone could get injured or die in the firing.
The SI has named 37 as witnesses and provided 15 pieces of evidence, including a report on ballistic tests of the bullets found in the bodies, and cancellation of Rony’s gun license.
