Every day four-year-old Tasqia looks out of the window, waiting for her father’s return. She could not still come to terms with the fact that her father - Chattogram court lawyer Saiful Islam Alif - will never return home.

Saiful was murdered during a violent clash between police, lawyers, and followers of former ISKCON leader Chinmoy Krishna Das on 26 November last year.

Police have yet to arrest 18 key accused allegedly involved in the brutal murder, even one year after the killing that caused an uproar. The victim’s family, relatives and fellow lawyers are now demanding that the case be transferred to the speedy trial tribunal to ensure swift justice.

Meanwhile, it is the family members of slain Saiful who are still agonising over the untimely demise of the lawyer. Especially, Saiful’s daughter still counts the days to keep track of when her father will return.

The family life of young couple Saiful and Tarin had been peaceful until the violence that shattered their world. Their only daughter, Mabrur Islam Tasqia, was just three years old when her father was killed by agitated ISKCON supporters. She is now four.

Tasqia often visits her father’s grave with her mother or grandfather. Even while standing before the grave, she struggles to comprehend that her father will never return.

Every Thursday, she waits with anxious anticipation that her father might come home from the city - just as he used to. Her uncle, Khane Alam, said, “In Tasqia, we see the memory of our lost brother. She still cannot understand whether her father is alive or not. Her confusion breaks us emotionally. We want justice for our brother’s murder.” 
Case update 
Notably, a Chattogram court denied the bail petition of Chinmoy, spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagaran Jote and former ISKCON leader, in a sedition case, ordering him to be sent to jail on 26 November last year. 
Following the order, violence ensued. At least 20 people were injured as his agitated supporters clashed with police at that time. Saiful was brutally hacked to death by the unruly supporters during the violence.
Four days after the incident, Saiful’s father filed a murder case with Kotwali Police Station, accusing 31 identified and 10-15 unidentified individuals. Alif’s brother later filed another case over the attack and clashes, naming 116 accused.
In total, seven cases have been filed with Kotwali Police Station and the court in connection with the murder and the subsequent violence.
According to case documents, of the 39 individuals accused in the murder case filed by Saiful’s father Jamal Uddin, 21 including former ISKCON leader Chinmoy Krishna Das are currently in custody.
However, 18 others, including the prime accused Shubho Kanti Das, remain absconding. Several detainees, among them Chinmoy’s supporter Chandan Das, have given confessional statements under Section 164.
The court accepted the charge sheet following a hearing on 25 August this year, and the case is now progressing under regular judicial procedure.
Assistant Public Prosecutor of the Chattogram Metropolitan Court, Advocate Md Raihanul Wazed Chowdhury, told the Daily Sun that the murder of lawyer Saiful remains “one of the most widely discussed incidents in recent years”.
“Eighteen accused are still absconding, and the case is currently at the stage of issuing warrants of proclamation and attachment,” he said. “This situation, even after a year, is unacceptable for the victim’s family and for the country’s law-and-order system. We demand that the trial be transferred to a speedy trial tribunal.”
Saiful’s father, Jamal Uddin, said, “My son is gone. I only wish to see justice for his murder while I am still alive. I humbly request the Chief Adviser to ensure the trial is held in a speedy trial tribunal.”