THE High Court in its verdict on Narayanganj 7-murder case upheld the lower court conviction more than three years ago, but the verdict has not been finalised as the Appellate Division has not disposed of the appeals filed by 20, out of total 35 convicts, in the daring murder case.
Families of the victims, who were brutally abducted and murdered by some officers of Narayanganj Rapid Action Battalion in April 2014, mentioned on Thursday that they were planning to seek intervention of the Prime Minister, the Chief Justice and the Law Minister so that the Appellate Division would immediately dispose of the appeals.
Of the 35 convicts, the High Court on August 22, 2017 upheld death sentences of Narayanganj Awami League leader Noor Hossain and 14 other RAB members, including the then Narayanganj RAB commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Tarek Sayeed Mohammad and officers Major Arif Hossain and Lieutenant Commander MM Masud Rana. The HC reduced sentences of 11, two RAB members and nine accomplices of Noor Hossain, and upheld varying terms of sentences of nine other RAB members.
As because politics is conducted through court cases and crimes are rising with police help the courts are jammed with cases. It is also true that when a murder case involves a large number accused and everyone has to be heard for disposal of the case, the case is lingered.
We all know when powerful people are accused the advantage is taken by the prosecution for delaying the justice process. So it should be known that it does not depend on the courts only to expedite disposal of the cases.
Another important aspect is the judicial system is neglected. It is not important for the government to provide necessary facilities. The Supreme Court is to have the secretariat of its own. After independence it was made incumbent to have a separate secretariat. The government is averse to it. So for the secretarial work the Supreme Court has to depend on Law Ministry.
Where the government will be happy to see the back of judicial system as independent and efficient, there it is alright to talk about speedy trial but it is not be expected.
In the horrible murder case of Narayanganj the people have interest to see the punishment is meted out without delay. They think three years is too long a time to finish the case.
We hope in public interest the Supreme Court will dispose of the case as speedily as possible.
