HC stays trial of Prothom Alo editor in Abrar killing case

Dhaka (Dec 13, 2020): The High Court (HC) on Sunday halted trial proceedings of Prothom Alo Editor and Publisher Matiur Rahman in connection with a case over the death of Dhaka Residential Model College student Naimul Abrar Rahat, for six months.

In response to a petition, the HC bench of Justice Md Rezaul Haque and Justice Md Atoar Rahman issued a rule asking the government to explain within four weeks why the case proceedings against Matiur Rahman should not be scrapped.

Advocate Mostafizur Rahman Khan appeared on behalf of the editor while Deputy Attorney General Saifuddin Khaled represented the state during the hearing.

After the HC order, lawyers concerned told reporters that the HC bench came up with the stay order and rule on the ground that Matiur Rahman was not present at the venue.

Even, the editor was not involved in electricity supply management and in appointing the contractor during the anniversary programme of Prothom Alo’s youth magazine Kishor Alo on November 1 last year. Abrar was electrocuted during the event.

Matiur Rahman filed the petition with the HC on December 6, seeking cancellation of the trial proceedings.

On November 12 this year, a Dhaka court framed charge against the Prothom Alo editor in this connection.

The lower court, however, discharged Prothom Alo’s Deputy Editor Anisul Hoque as it did not find any grounds to frame charges against him.

On November 6, victim’s father Mujibur Rahman filed a case with Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court, alleging that negligence on part of the organiser led to his son’s death.