Sixteen persons sentenced for their roles in the Aug 21 grenade attack are still fugitives. The verdict of the case was declared on Oct 10, 2018 but there is little progress in bringing the absconding to justice.
Most of the criminals are out of the country. There are INTERPOL notices against Haris Chowdhury, Mohammad Hanif, Moulana Taj Uddin Mia and Ratul Ahmed Babu.
However, the government and relevant people have said that they are carrying out efforts to bring back the fugitives.
Among the sentenced is Khaleda Zia’s elder son, Tarique Rahman, who is in London. Process is underway to have him extradited and a letter in this regard was given to the British government in 2014. He left the country in 2008 during the caretaker regime.
Moulana Tajuddin Mia: After the 21 August grenade attack, Moulana Md Tajuddin Mia left the country on a false passport and is believed to be in South Africa.
In November, 2016, Attorney General Mahbubey Alam visited South Africa and had talks with their government though there has not been any progress on the matter. There is an INTERPOL warrant on him.
Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad: Law enforcers believe that he is in UAE and letters have been sent to the authority of the emirates. He was also in INTERPOL list. His lawyers managed to have his name removed citing the case as a political one.
Anisul Mursalin and Mohibul Muttakin: The two brothers are in Tihar jail in India.
Others are believed to be in Italy, Pakistan and South Africa.
Of the punished, 33 are in prison while 16 are fugitives. AIG Mohiul Islam, said: “Eighteen were fugitives and of them, two former members of police, Khan Sayeed Hassan and Obaidur Rahman, surrendered after coming to the country.”
CID has collected necessary papers and documents of ten persons from the 16 absconding. These will be given to NCTB to have a red notice issued by INTERPOL.
Red notice were already in place for Tarique Rahman, Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad, Mohammad Hanif, moulana Tajuddin and Ratul Ahmed Babu.
Mohiul Islam, says: “We are contacting INTERPOL with all the papers and sent letters to National Centre Bureau of 194 countries.”
Asserting that the police are doing their best, he observed: “The issue is under the jurisdiction of the ministry of foreign affairs.”
Law Minister Anisul Huq said: “The government is doing everything to bring back the fugitives.”