SC clears way for journo Shimul murder trial

The Supreme Court has cleared the way for the trial court concerned to resume the trial proceedings of journalist Abdul Hakim Shimul murder case in Sirajganj.

On Wednesday, The Appellate Division bench led by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain rejected the writ petition in this regard and passed the order, upholding stay order of Chamber Judge of the Appellate Division.

Earlier, Chamber Judge of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court Justice Hasan Foez Siddique stayed a High Court order that halted the trial proceedings of the case.

With the order, there is no bar to run trial proceedings at Rajshahi Speedy Trial Tribunal, according to lawyers.

Advocate Abdul Alim Jewel moved for accused in the court while Attorney General Mahbube Alam represented the state.

On August 29, the High Court (HC) halted trial processing of the case for six months. Later, the Chamber Judge of the Supreme Court stayed the HC order following a petition filed by the state and sent it for hearing at the full bench of the Appellate Division.

Shimul, Shahzadpur correspondent of Daily Samakal, was hit when Halimul Haque Miru, the suspended mayor of Shahzadpur municipality in Sirajganj, allegedly opened fire during a factional clash of ruling Awami League on February 2, 2017. He died the next day.

The following day Shimul’s wife Nurunnahar filed a murder case with Shahzadpur Police Station against Miru, his two brothers, and 15 others.

Dhaka/Mahidi/AKA