Headed by Advocate Anisul Haq, the team comprises Advocate Shahara Khatun, Mosharaf Hossain Kajol and Kamrul Islam.

Driven by four SPPs, the 1975 case took effect in 1996 after the Awami League came to power but had none for nearly the last one year.

The BNP-Jamaat led government in December last year cancelled the four SPPs. Ever since, the AL has been demanding appointment of new SPPs, as the jail killing case is a special one.

Law Minister Moudud Ahmed yesterday told newspersons that the government made them SPPs on the basis of a letter from Deputy Opposition Leader Abdul Hamid.

"The government wants quick disposal of the case and that is why it appointed the SPP's according to the Opposition's advice," Moudud said.

"We asked the Opposition about 11 months ago for their opinions concerning the appointment. But the Opposition responded on November 8. Accordingly, we made the appointments," Moudud noted.

Asked why the AL-made appointments were cancelled, the law minister said, "We had to cancel those following the death of Chief SPP Advocate Sirajul Haq in October 2002."

On November 3, 1975, four national leaders -- Tajuddin Ahmed, Syed Nazrul Islam, M Kamruzzaman and M Monsur Ali, all put behind bars by the then Mustaq government -- were killed inside the Dhaka Central Jail by a group of disgruntled army officers.

A case was filed with Lalbag Police Station the same day. But no action could have been taken until repeal of the Indemnity Ordinance in 1996 by former Awami League government.

Eight accused of the case including some former AL leaders later joined the BNP.

The case is now with the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court that took depositions of 18 out of 75 prosecution witnesses.

"I will try to dispose the case as quickly as possible through proving the crimes of the accused," the newly appointed chief SPP commented.

On the issue of pending death cases, Moudud said a government cell is working to resolve quickly all murder cases at the High Court level. "There are 478 death reference cases pending with the High Court for confirmation," he added.