Unwarranted delay in 7-murder trial

It is discouraging to note that after almost 19 months since the gruesome murder of seven individuals in Narayanganj, there are still flaws in the charge sheet of the case. The HC on Tuesday concluded that the charge sheet was defective. It has also expressed its apprehension that delays in the trial could benefit the accused persons. 

The observation came as a response to a petition filed by one of the victims' family members. The petition said that five people who had been earlier included in the first information report (FIR) were dropped from the charge sheet. This is a serious allegation that might call into question the whole investigation process as well as the investigative agency. 

It is rare in our system to see serving, high level law enforcers being held responsible for their crimes. It was only after widespread public outcry and media coverage that some of the accused who happened to be law enforcement members were arrested. Even after the prime accused was brought back to Bangladesh, questions have been raised as to why he was not taken on remand but sent straight to jail. We urge the government to make the necessary corrections to the charge sheet following the HC's directives and ensure an expeditious and unblemished trial. We must set a precedent of bringing to justice rogue elements within law enforcement agencies and restore public confidence in them.