41 indicted, finally

A Dhaka court yesterday framed charges against 41 people, including Rana Plaza owner Sohel Rana, in the murder case filed over the building's collapse in 2013.

Of them, Rana, his parents -- Abdul Khaleque and Morjina Begum -- and 34 others were charged with causing the victims' death while four others were accused of sheltering Rana and helping him flee.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

Three government officials were also indicted in the murder case relating to the worst-ever industrial disaster that took place on April 24 that year. 

The government, however, had not given permission for including them in the charge sheet.  

At least 1,136 people, mostly garment workers, were killed and more than 2,500 injured as the building crashed, raising questions of labour standards and human rights situation in Bangladesh. 

Charges of murder have been brought against Rana and 36 others since they knew that the building's foundation was faulty, the judge said.

Though they did not commit the murders directly, they were responsible for the deaths, the court said in its order.

Of the accused, Rana and six others are in jail while seven accused are still at large. Twenty-seven others including Rana's parents are on bail.

Rana and 33 others pleaded not guilty and demanded justice after Judge SM Kuddus Zaman of the District and Sessions Judge's Court of Dhaka read out the charges to them.             

The trial will begin on September 18.

During yesterday's hearing, Additional Public Prosecutor Mizanur Rahman proposed to bring different charges, including murder, against all the accused. 

Before the charge framing, the court rejected 25 petitions submitted by the defence pleading that its clients, including Rana, be exempted from the murder charges.

Earlier in December last year, another Dhaka court used its inherent power to include three labour ministry officials in the charge sheet of the murder case.

They are Deputy Chief Inspector (Mills & Factories) Jamsedur Rahman, and inspectors (engineering) Yusuf Ali and Shahidul Islam.

The investigating officer of the case found their involvement in the crimes. But the labour ministry refused to give its approval to bringing charges against them.

According to law, the government's prior approval is required to name a government official in a charge sheet.

On June 14 this year, another Dhaka court framed charges against Rana and 17 others in the case filed over “violation of building codes” in the construction of Rana Plaza.

Earlier in June last year, investigation officer Bijoy Krishna Kar submitted two charge sheets -- one for murder and the other for building code violation.

Rana, owner of Rana Plaza, constructed the unauthorised building on a swampy land in Savar, using his political clout and bribing the local administration and government officials. The nine-storey building housed five garment factories on its upper floors.

IO Bijoy, assistant superintendent of the CID, found involvement of 14 officials of different ministries and departments in the crimes.