DHAKA: The case of planting a 76-kg bomb in Kotalipara under a plot to “kill” then opposition leader and present premier Sheikh Hasina in 2000 has been referred to the Speedy Trial Tribunal in Dhaka.

Considering the case as a sensational one and to ensure a fastest trial it was referred to the Speedy Trial Tribunal in the capital from the Special Tribunal-1, a source said.

On July 22, 2000, Sheikh Hasina was scheduled to attend a public rally at Sheikh Lutfar Rahman College ground of Kotalipara thana in Gopalganj. The on-duty police, on information, searched a shop nearby and recovered a suspicious object in front of it. After verification, police identified it as a huge bomb.

Sub-Inspector of Kotalipara thana Nur Hossain, being plaintiff, filed a case against some unidentified accused in this connection under the explosives act the same day.

The case was probed there for nine months by the police and CID and three different charge sheets were submitted against 25 persons in different times after the probe.

Among the 25 accused, nine, including Mufti Abdul Hannan, are in jail, one got bail and the rest 15 are on the run for long.

Mufti Hannan along with another seven accused gave their statement before the magistrate admitting responsibility under section 164 of the penal code.

According to the speedy trial tribunal the case has to be disposed of within 120 working days of undertaking it, though no date has been fixed yet for testifying by the witnesses.

BDST: 2219 HRS. SEPTEMBER 5, 2010