Charge hearing against Mirza Alamgir, 28 others Nov 22

A Dhaka court has deferred the charge hearing against BNP acting Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and 28 other leaders of 18-party alliance in Secretariat bomb blasts case filed against them over three years ago. Fourth Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge of Dhaka Ruhul Amin passed the deferment order upon a petition submitted by the defence counsel seeking further time. The Judge also fixed November 22 for the next hearing on framing of charges in the case. Defence lawyer Joynul Abedin Mezbah said that he on behalf of Mirza Alamgir he sought more time from the court as the BNP acting secretary general was receiving medical treatments in Singapore. A case was filed with Shahbagh Police Station against Mirza Alamgir and other leaders of the 18 opposition parties in connection with bomb explosions in and outside the Secretariat in the city during the opposition-called nationwide hartal on April 29, 2012. Later on May 31 in 2012, Detective Branch of police Inspector Tapan Chandra Saha submitted charge sheet against 29 leaders, including Mirza Alamgir, of the then BNP-led 18-party alliance, now 20-party coalition, according to a news agency.
- mbz