Witness Breaks Down in Chittagong Court During Testimony in Lawyer Murder Trial
Photo Collected
The murder trial of lawyer Saiful Islam Alif in Chittagong reached an emotional crescendo on Monday as a colleague broke down while recounting the victim’s final moments during testimony at the Divisional Speedy Trial Tribunal. Shahidul Alam, the second witness in the high-profile case, struggled to maintain composure as he described the fatal encounter before Judge Fazle Khoda Mohammad Nazir.
According to witness testimony, the incident occurred while lawyers were returning from a procession near the Rangam Cinema Hall area. Alam told the court that he heard Alif calling out to him from behind. Upon turning back, he found his colleague had stumbled and fallen. Alam recounted that Alif’s final plea for help was, “Brother, take me with you, they will kill me.” The weight of the memory caused an immediate, heavy silence to fall over the courtroom, with several observers visibly moved to tears before the witness could resume his testimony after a brief pause.
বিজ্ঞাপন
Alam identified a group of approximately 50 to 60 armed individuals, some wearing helmets and wielding machetes, surrounding the victim. He testified that the group, led by assailants including the accused Ripon Das, moved forward and launched a fatal attack on Alif. The testimony concluded shortly after midday, and the court scheduled the next hearing for August 20.
The case stems from the violence that erupted on November 26, 2024, during a bail hearing for Chinmoy Das, a spokesperson for the Sanatan Jagaran Jote. Alif was killed in the ensuing clashes, sparking multiple criminal investigations into attacks on law enforcement, obstruction of official duties, and the detonation of explosives.
বিজ্ঞাপন
Legal proceedings have progressed significantly since the victim’s father, Jamal Uddin, filed the initial murder complaint naming 31 suspects. Following a review and subsequent additions, the court formally charged 39 individuals in January of this year. According to court records, three of the accused—Chandan Das, Ripon Das, and Rajib Bhattacharya—have already provided confessional statements.
During Monday’s proceedings, Chinmoy Das participated in the hearing virtually from the Chittagong Central Jail. While the court denied his bail application, his legal counsel requested additional time to cross-examine the witness, a motion that the tribunal granted before adjourning the session.
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