The Supreme Court today (November 6) ordered two former Awami League MPs HBM Iqbal and Nurunnabi Chowdhury Shaon along with 13 others to surrender in connection with a case filed over the killing of four people at a BNP rally in Malibagh in 2001.

HC Bench of Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman and Justice Md Sagir Hossain ordered them to surrender before Dhaka District and Sessions Judge Court-8.

The Supreme Court issued the order after overturning the trial court’s 2010 decision acquitting the defendants in the case.

The order follows a petition by former BNP chief Advocate Eunus Ali Mridha of Khilgaon Thana, who filed the case in 2001, his lawyer Advocate Aminul Islam told The Business Standard.

According to the case document, on February 13, 2001, clashes broke out between a rally led by HBM Iqbal and a BNP rally at Malibagh junction.

Four BNP activists (Jasim Uddin, Khokon, Abdur Rashid Molla and Najma Akhtar) were killed in a gun attack during the meeting.

On December 29, 2002, a criminal complaint was filed against 24 people, including HBM Iqbal, regarding the incident.

However, in 2010, Dhaka 1st Speedy Trial Court acquitted 15 defendants. The trial of the remaining defendants continued.

Lawyer Aminul said the judge did not provide any detailed reasons for the acquittal decision. Therefore, after the change of government, the petitioner filed a petition in the HC.

“Evaluating the petition, the court instructed 15 defendants to surrender. If they do not surrender within the specified time, they will be arrested,” he said.