His family requested him not to go to his private chamber at Dhakadakshin bazaar in Golapganj, but he ignored, his son Jakir Hossain told the Speedy Trial Tribunal, Sylhet on Tuesday. Jakir is a student of Sylhet Osmay Medical College.

He said days ahead of the brutal incident, his father told them that an organised gang of miscreants was pressing him for a big amount of toll.

Trial of the sensational murder case got a belated start in the court on Tuesday. The next hearing date is December 30.

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

Among the six chargesheeted accused, two are in custody, three are on bail and one is absconding.

Dr. Aftab Hossain, Assistant Director of the Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital, was called out of his chamber on the plea of attending an elderly patient on the night of September 14 last year.

The assailants 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.

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

Strike was observed in Gopalganj upazila and doctors stayed away from private practice for days demanding trial of the killers.

The BMA also gave memorandum to the government for arrest and punishment of the killers.

But, all went in vain due to police negligence to arrest the killers immediately when they were in the area, sources said.

The then OC of Golpaganj thana was probing the incident immediately after the murder.

As there was no headway, the case was transferred to the Detective Branch.

The DB submitted charge sheet against six persons on July 4 this year.

They are Noman Uddin Murad, Jashimuddin, Sujan Ali, Abdul Ali alias Ali, Luthfur Rahman and Sufian.

Main accused Murad and Sujan Ali are in custody.

Jashim is absconding. Luthfur Rahman, Abdul Ali and Sufian are on bail, granted by the High Court.