The High Court on Monday denied bail to Awami League leaders Iqbal Bahar and Sirajul Haque alias Abul Kashem in a case filed over the murder of journalist Borhan Uddin Muzakkir amid political infighting in Noakhali's Companiganj.
The bench of Justice Jahangir Hossain Selim and Justice Mohi Uddin Shamim passed the order, considering that the petition was not submitted properly before it.
Iqbal Bahar is the president of Musapur union unit Swechchhasebak League and Sirajul Islam is an activist of the local Awami League.
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Deputy Attorney General Dr Md Bashir Ullah represented the state while lawyer Shahinur Begum stood for the accused.
On February 19, clashes and gunfight took place between the supporters of Basurhat Municipality Mayor Abdul Quader Mirza and former Companiganj upazila chairman Mizanur Rahman Badal over establishing supremacy.
Both groups used firearms in the clash and the law enforcers fired several rounds of tear gas and shotguns to control the situation.
Also Read- Journalist Muzakkir murder: Family seeks PM Hasina’s intervention
Muzakkir, the Noakhali district correspondent of online news portal Barta Bazar and also Companiganj correspondent for The Daily Bangladesh Samachar, was shot and fell on the ground when he was taking pictures and filming the intra-party clash.
The critically injured journalist was rushed to Noakhali General Hospital and later shifted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) where he succumbed to injuries on February 20.
Also Read- Journalist Muzakkir murder: Father files case, police yet to identify shooter
On February 23, Muzakkir's father Nurul Huda Master filed a case with Companyganj police station accusing unnamed people. Later the case was transferred to the Police Bureau of Investigation. The duo were shown arrested in the case.
