The High Court on Tuesday ordered Investigation Officer (IO) of Rifat killing case to submit all documents regarding Minni’s alleged involvement in killing her husband. The documents are to be submitted on August 28.
The HC made the order following an allegation that police falsely implicated Minni in the case and compelled her to make confessional statement subsequently.
The High Court also issued a rule asking the government to explain within seven days why Minni shall not be granted bail in the case.
A division bench comprising Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman passed the order on Tuesday as Minni prayed for bail.
Barguna Sadar Police Inspector Humayun Kabir, also investigating officer (IO) in the case, will have to submit the documents on August 28, the next date for hearing.
The High Court, on Monday, wanted to know whether police found evidence of Minni’s involvement in killing her husband before she submitted confessional statement before the lower court.
ZI Khan Panna, her counsel, was asked to reply to the court’s query in writing on Tuesday.
During the hearing, Panna said Minni is main prosecution and eyewitness in the murder case. But police interrogated her in police station on July 16. After interrogation she was shown arrested in the case.
Next day, police produced her before a lower court in Barguna and sought for remand. The court placed her on a five-day remand. After remand, she submitted the confessional statement.According to newspaper report, Barguna Superintendent of Police (SP) Maruf Hossain, at a press conference on July 18, said they found Minni’s involvement during interrogation at police station the previous day.
On July 19, Minni allegedly submitted the confessional statement to the court. Later, Minni’s father told press that the confessional statement was extracted on coercion.
Minni, who is behind the bar for her alleged involvement in killing her husband in Barguna, has filed a bail petition with the High Court again on August 18 after it was rejected earlier.
Rifat Sharif, 23, died after a group of assailants hacked him near the Barguna government college on June 26. He accompanied Minni on her way to the college. She was likely to collect examination schedule on the day.
Videos of the killing in broad daylight went viral on social media. The video shows Minni’s effort to save her husband.
Rifat’s father Dulal Shorif filed a case with Barguna police station against 12 people. In the case, Minni is named as the key witness.
The main accused Sabbir Ahmed alias Nayon Bond was killed in crossfire with police on July 2.
On July 24, Minni prayed to the lower court for withdrawal of confessional statement. The confessional statement is a proof as to her complicity in the killing. It appears as a barrier for her to obtaining bail also. So, the HC wants to examine whether Minni submitted the confessional statement on coercion or not.
