Alif murder case: Court accepts charge sheet, issues warrants for 19 accused

Chattogram Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court has accepted the charge sheet in the murder case of lawyer Saiful Islam Alif. The decision was made on Monday by Magistrate SM Alauddin following a hearing on the charge sheet’s validity.

Alif’s father, Jamal Uddin, the complainant in the case, was present during the hearing.

Assistant Public Prosecutor Md. Raihanul Wazed Chowdhury informed the court that a new accused has been added to the case. Additionally, the court has issued warrants against 19 accused who remain absconding.

The investigation report submitted by officer Mahfuzur Rahman had initially recommended the dismissal of three accused due to lack of evidence, and one individual due to incomplete identification details. However, after further review and discussions with the complainant, the court retained the individual named Sukanta Dutta as an accused. Dutta is linked to eight other cases involving arms trafficking, drug offenses, theft, and robbery, and has been described as a ‘notorious criminal’ in the investigation report.

Public Prosecutor Mofizul Haque Bhuiyan said the acceptance of the charge sheet represents significant progress in the trial.

Earlier, on August 10, the court summoned the complainant to hear the investigation report. Jamal Uddin appeared and informed the court he would not raise objections to the accused named in the report.

Currently, 20 accused—including ISKCON leader Chinmoy Krishna Das—are in custody, while 19 others remain fugitives.