Charge-framing of the case was completed on November 19.

Among the six chargesheeted accused, four are in custody, official sources said.

Dr. Aftab Hossain, Assistant Director of Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital, was called out of his private chamber at Dhakadakshin bazaar in Golapganj upazila on the night of September 14 last year by some persons on the plea of attending a patient.

The callers, all on motorbikes, took him to a hillock in remote Ghoshgaon village and killed him. The miscreants took away his motorbike, mobile phone and money.

The body was recovered next morning.

Following filing of a case, the then officer-in-charge of Golpaganj thana was entrusted with the task investigating the case.

It is widely believed that the doctor was killed by an organised gang of extortionists at Dhakiadakshin bazaar as he refused to pay them toll.

Killing of Dr. Aftab, known for his amiable behaviour with the commonman, sparked widespread resentment.

A day-long strike was observed in the upazila and doctors in Sylhet district abstained from private practice for days together at the call of Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA) demanding arrest and punishment of the killers.

The central BMA also gave memorandum to the government for arrest and punishment of the killers. But, all went in vain due to alleged police negligence in arresting the killers immediately after the incident, when they were in the area, sources claimed.

Due to failure in arresting the killers and "mysterious handling" of the case by the then OC of Golapganj thana, it was transferred to the Detective Branch.

Later, the Sylhet Police Superintendent and some other police officials including Golapganj OC were transferred.

The DB arrested eight persons. They are Luthfar Rahman, Sujan, Abdul Haque, Sufian, Sebul, Liton, Panki, and Bakul.

Sujan gave a confessional statement before police and magistrate. Later, DB submitted charge sheet against six persons on July 4.

The chargesheeted persons include Noman Uddin Murad, Jashimuddin, Sujan Ali, Luthfur Rahman and Sufian.

Main accused Murad and three others--Sujan Ali, Luthfur Rahman and Sufian-- are in custody.

Murad went into hiding after filing of the case and managed to evade arrest for about a year allegedly with blessing of some police officials. Last month, he appeared before court, which sent him to jail hajat. Jashimuddin is absconding.