HC: Don’t allow Rifat’s killers to flee country

Expressing its dissatisfaction at the failure of police to arrest the main killers of Barguna youth Rifat Sharif, the High Court on Thursday asked the government to issue red alert along the border so that the perpetrators cannot leave the country.

It also said police should have been more active over such an incident.

The HC bench of FRM Nazmul Ahasan and Justice KM Kamrul Kader issued the order after Supreme Court lawyer Ruhul Kuddus Kajal brought the matter to its notice.

Rifat Sharif, 22, was hacked to death by miscreants in front of his wife in the district town of Barguna on Wednesday.

Earlier in the morning, the High Court asked Deputy Attorney General (DAG) ABM Abdullah AL Mahmud Bashar to inform it by 2pm today after contacting Barguna Deputy Commissioner and Police Super what steps had so far been taken over the incident.

It also expressed shock at the role of onlookers as no one came forward to rescue the youth. “All of the country’s people are shocked at the incident. Where’s the society heading to? The man was murdered in broad daylight on the road but no one other than one came to his rescue…many people witnessed the incident and recorded video of it but no one came forward. This is the failure of people.”

In the afternoon, the DAG informed the court that he had talked to the Barguna DC, SP and officer-in-charge of Sadar Police Station when they informed him that the victim’s father filed a case accusing 12 people and they have already arrested No-4 accused.

The accused have been identified and three teams of law enforcers are on the field to arrest them, he told the court quoting them as saying.

Bashar also said law enforcers have been asked to ensure the safety of the victim’s wife and family members.

At this stage, the court asked the Inspector General of Police to take steps so that the accused cannot flee the country crossing the border.

Mentioning that it was not issuing any order or rule for now, the HC said it will oversee whether there is any negligence in this regard.

The court also fixed July 4 for the next hearing.