AL’s ouster revives hope, but justice still elusive
Exactly 12 years have passed since the killing of Tanwir Muhammad Taqi in Narayanganj, yet justice remains elusive, as the investigating body, Rab, has yet to submit the charge sheet to the court.
After waiting over a decade for justice, Taqi's grieving parents found a glimmer of hope following the arrest of six individuals after the Awami League government was ousted in August last year.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. But now, seven months later, that hope is beginning to fade, as little progress has been made since the formation of the interim government.
However, the victim's family, relatives, and well-wishers refuse to give up, continuing their movement on the streets to demand justice.
As part of their efforts, Narayanganj Sangskritik Jote has chalked out a two-day programme on Thursday and Saturday marking the 12th anniversary of the killing.
"Six people have been arrested recently following the formation of the interim government. One of them has given a confessional statement. The case is progressing, and we hope it will be completed soon," said Taqi's father, Rafiur Rabbi.
When Sheikh Hasina declared her support for the Osman family, all progress in the case came to a halt. We demand a fair and just charge sheet be submitted to the court. We are still waiting for justice.
"Within a year of the killing, Rab had uncovered details of the murder. But when Sheikh Hasina declared her support for the Osman family, all progress in the case came to a halt," he said. "We demand a fair and just charge sheet be submitted to the court. We are still waiting for justice," Rabbi said.
The court has extended the investigation deadline 81 times so far, as Rab repeatedly sought more time to complete the probe.
A total of 11 people have been arrested in connection with the murder. Of them, six remain in jail, while the others have been released on bail.
Sources from the court and law enforcement agencies confirmed that three of the accused have given confessional statements under Section 164.
Taqi went missing after he left his Shaista Khan Road home in Narayanganj for Sudhijon Pathagar, a local library, around 4:00pm on March 6, 2013.
On March 7, his A-level results were out, which showed he got the world's highest mark in physics in that exam, obtaining 297 out of 300.
The next day his body was found floating in the Kumudini canal, a branch of the Shitalakkhya.
Hours after Taqi's body was recovered, his father filed a murder case with Narayanganj Sadar Model Police Station accusing unnamed individuals. On March 18 that year, he submitted a supplementary complaint to the superintendent of police against seven people, including former AL lawmaker Shamim Osman and 8-10 unnamed others.
The home ministry, on June 20, 2013, handed the case to Rab upon a High Court order following an appeal by Rabbi.
Around a year later, Rab on March 5, 2014, claimed that it had cracked the murder mystery and even prepared a draft probe report.
The draft probe report was leaked in the media, revealing the involvement of 11 people, including Azmery Osman, in the killing.
Azmery is the son of late Jatiyo Party lawmaker Nasim Osman and nephew of Shamim Osman.
A day before Taqi's first death anniversary, Col Ziaul Ahsan, the then additional director general of Rab, told the media they had evidence of the involvement of the 11 and said the charge sheet would be submitted any day.
Since the killing, the victim's family has consistently alleged that members of the influential Osman family were involved in the murder. They also claimed the investigation was stalled due to interference from high-ranking officials of the then-AL government.
The leaked probe findings also supported their claims, as according to the findings, Azmery killed Taqi as his father Rabbi, along with his supporters, actively campaigned for Salina Hayat Ivy ahead of the Narayanganj City Corporation election.
After the fall of the AL government, Rab arrested six individuals in September last year in connection with the case.
According to Rab, all six were close aides of Azmery Osman. The arrested individuals are Azmery's driver Jamshed Hossain, his relative Abdullah Al Mamun (alias Jamai Mamun), and his close aides Kajal Hawlader, Shafayet Hossain Shipon, Mamun Mia, and Yar Mohammad.
Among them, Kajal Hawlader has given a confessional statement before the court under Section 164.
In September last year, Lt Col Tanvir Mahmud Pasha, the then commanding officer of Rab-11, told The Daily Star that the investigation had been stalled for years due to "pressure".
He had vowed to complete the probe quickly, however, it still remains unfinished.
Lt Col Pasha was recently transferred and replaced by Lt Col HM Shazzad Hossain.
Contacted yesterday, Lt Col Shazzad said he will submit the charge sheet soon.
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