The investigation committee formed by the Chittagong District Bar Association to probe the clashes, vandalism, and murder of lawyer Saiful Islam Alif in the court premises has recommended a judicial inquiry into the incident on Saturday.
Committee head and former Metropolitan Public Prosecutor (PP) Abdus Sattar urged the association leaders to initiate a judicial probe by a judge of the rank of District and Sessions Judge.
Sattar, along with the remaining members, also sought exemption from the committee.
Earlier, four other members, including the member secretary, had submitted their resignations.
Speaking to the media, Abdus Sattar said: “The association constituted the investigation committee on November 10 after the tragic events in the court premises. A report was requested by November 15, but four members, including the member secretary, resigned, making it difficult to carry out the task. The case is highly sensitive, with seven separate cases already registered. Allegations involving government officials and employees have emerged, along with accusations of fabricated cases. A judicial inquiry is essential to ensure justice.”
On November 26, a violent clash erupted in the Chittagong court premises following the denial of bail to Chinmoy Krishna Das, spokesperson of Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jot, who had been arrested in a sedition case.
During the altercation, lawyer Saiful Islam Alif was brutally beaten and hacked to death.
Saiful’s father, Jamal Uddin, later filed a murder case naming 31 accused.
Additionally, six other cases have been lodged in connection with assaults on police, attacks on lawyers and litigants, and explosive devices being used during the incident.
Police have so far detained 11 suspects, including three key accused — Chandan Das, Ripon Das, and Rajeev Bhattacharya — who have confessed in court to their involvement in Alif’s murder.
