Actor Sohel Chowdhury murder: Warrant issued for 3

The tribunal has issued arrest warrants for three people, including businessman Abdul Aziz alias Aziz Mohammad Bhai, in the murder case of popular film actor of the nineties Sohel Chowdhury.

Others on the warrant are Afakul Islam alias Bunty Islam, owner of Trumps club; and Selim Khan.

Judge Zakir Hossain of Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal-2 issued the arrest warrant on Sunday — the day the accused were scheduled to appear in court.

The other two accused in the case, top terrorists Sanzidul Islam Emon and Ashish Chowdhury alias Bottle Chowdhury have been absconding since the beginning of the case.

Accused Faruq Abbasi appeared before the court on the day. However, the accused Adnan Siddiqui did not appear in the court as he was ill and his lawyer Mohammad Abdul Baset Rakhi appealed for time. The court granted the time appeal.

On the other hand, accused Tariq Sayeed Mamun and Harun Ur Rashid were not produced in court from jail.

Besides, today was also the day for taking evidence in the case.

The plaintiff in the case, Touhidul Islam Chowdhury, brother of the actor, did not appear in court to testify. The court fixed March 24 for testifying.

The accused in the case are Adnan Siddiqui; Afaqul Islam alias Bunty Islam, owner of Trumps Club; businessman Abdul Aziz alias Aziz Mohammad Bhai; Tariq Sayeed Mamun; Selim Khan, Harun Ur Rashid alias Leather Liton alias Boss Liton, Faruk Abbasi, Sanjidul Islam Emon; Ashish Chowdhury alias Bottle Chowdhury.

According to documents, the High Court cleared the way for trial in the case on February 27, last by withdrawing a long-standing stay order.

On December 19, 1998, actor Sohel was shot dead by some terrorists in Trumps Club in Abedin Tower at the capital’s Banani-17 road.

A murder case was filed in this regard at Gulshan police station followed by a complaint lodged by Sohels’ brother Towhidul Islam Chowdhury.

On July 30, 1999, Abul Kashem Bepari, Additional police Commissioner of Detective Police submitted a charge sheet against nine people in this case.

On October 30, 2001, Dhaka’s third additional metropolitan session judge court framed charges against the nine accused. After two years of the indictment, the case was transferred to Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal-2.

The same year one of the accused appealed to the High Court.

Since 2003, followed by an accused’s appeal to the High Court, the trial in the case remained suspended for 19 years.