All nine acquitted in AL leader Aboni Baroi murder case

First Additional District and Sessions Judge in Barisal Nasiruddin Mahammud while pronouncing the verdict in presence of the all accused blamed the prosecution for its 'failure to prove charges against the accused'.

The acquitted persons are Humayun Kabir Khan, former chairman of Harta Union Parishad and a leader of outlawed Sarbahara party; Satla UP chairman Abu Jafar Molla; Rashid, Kalam, Salam, Mosharraf, Monir Khan, Gopal and Kalipado Baroi.

Urmila Baroi, widow of Aboni Baroi and chairman of Jalla Union Parishad, expressed her surprise at the verdict.

"I and Aboni's brother, complainant of the case, could not appear before the court for cross-examination due threat by the accused", she told this correspondent when contacted over phone.

"I even did not know the date of verdict", she said.

"We will appeal to higher court against the judgment", she said.

Aboni Bhushan Baroi, 48, a Sarbohara leader belonging to the Zia group, was shot dead allegedly by members of a rival group led by Kamrul on May 24, 2004 when he was returning home at Kurulia village. He was elected chairman of Jalla Union Parishad in Uzirpur upazila in Barisal district three times.

His brother Dhirendranath Baroi lodged a case with Uzirpur police station on the same day.

Detective Branch police Inspector Nilutpol Dey submitted charge sheet of the case on July 31, 2004, accusing nine people.

Twenty-three witnesses were examined during the trial, court sources said.

Sources said Aboni emerged as a Sarbahara leader in the area after his alleged rival Kamrul Islam was killed in 1991.

He then became a target of Kamrul's followers and survived two attempts on his life in 1994 and 1995.

Aboni was popular among people in Jalla, Satla, Bagdha, Harta areas. He became involved with Awami League after 1995.