DHAKA: The case of planting a massive 76-kg bomb in Kotalipara under a plot to ‘kill’ the then opposition leader and present premier, Sheikh Hasina, in 2000 is going to get a fresh start under the Speedy Trial Tribunal in Dhaka Tuesday.

“Production warrant has been sent to Dhaka Central Jail to produce the accused before the court,” said a competent source.
 
Considering the case as a sensational one, it was referred to the Speedy Trial Tribunal of Kaniz Akhter Nasima Khanom in Dhaka from the Special Tribunal-1 in Gopalganj to ensure a fastest trial.

The case had been under trial in the special tribunal-1 in Gopalganj since it was filed in 2000.
 
On July 22, 2000, Sheikh Hasina was scheduled to speak at a public rally on Sheikh Lutfar Rahman College ground at Kotalipara in Gopalganj.

The on-duty police, on information, searched a shop nearby and recovered a suspicious object in front of it on July 20 in the year. After verification, police identified it as a huge bomb.

Sub-Inspector of Kotalipara thana Nur Hossain, being plaintiff, filed a case against some unidentified accused in this connection under the explosives act later in the day.

Three charge-sheets were submitted to the court against 25 men, including chief of the banned Islamist outfit Huji Mufti Abdul Hannan and Arif Hasan Sumon.

Among the 25 suspects, nine, including Mufti Abdul Hannan, are in jail, one got bail and the rest 15 remained on the run.

Mufti Hannan along with seven other accused gave their statements before the magistrate admitting responsibility under section 164 of the penal code.

According to the speedy trial tribunal law, the case has to be disposed of within 120 working days of undertaking it, though no date has been fixed yet for testifying by the witnesses.

BDST: 1627 HRS, SEPT 20, 2010