In the letter issued on July 5, the home ministry asked the PP to take necessary steps to withdraw the charges against Monir and nine others as the case was filed on the basis of falsehood and fabrication.

After receiving the letter, the PP submitted a petition to the Speedy Trial Tribunal-4, Dhaka Division,Thursday where the case is still pending.

Judge Jahangir Alam Mollah fixed today for hearing of the issue.

The nine others are -- Salahuddin, Mohammad Moula alias Malu, Mohammad Hasan, Jahangir alias Janu, Manju alias Manjur Ali, Shahin, Mohammad Alam, Mohammad Mesbah and Javed.

The Tribunal framed charges against Monir and 22 others on July 13.

Monir and eight others are in jail custody while 10 others are on bail. But Tahim, Azad, Javed and Mesbah have been absconding since the incident.

Amir Abdullah alias Shahil, 26, secretary of the Zinjira Market Association and sports secretary of the Zinjira Union Jubo Dal, and Sentu, 30, a lessee of a cattle market at Zinjira Bazar, was shot dead on February 16, last year.

Amir Hamza, brother of the victim Shahil, filed a murder case with Keraniganj Police Station accusing Monir and nine others on the same day.

The investigation officer (IO) of the case submitted a charge sheet against Monir and 22 others on November 20, last year.

The complainant of the case, Amir Hamza, at the court premises expressed his deep angst over the government's decision on withdrawal of charges against Monir and nine others.

"The home ministry's monitoring cell took the case in its list as an important one for quick disposal. But the same ministry decided to withdraw the charges against Monir and others, taking it for a false, fabricated and concocted case," Amir Hamza said.

Amir Hamza also said Pintu might have influenced the government to withdraw the charges against his brother and others.