"Zahid Hasan Aslam, accused in a number of murder cases, threatened me with life," said Inspector Nabi Hossain.

Investigation officer (IO) of Russell murder case in Rupganj about two years ago, Nabi, now posted in Kishoreganj, Wednesday appeared before the Speedy Trial Tribunal in the city as prosecution witness.

Nabi filed a general diary with Kotwali Police Station. But police could not nab Aslam, an aide of top criminal David of Narayanganj and a ruling BNP activist.

Russell Bhuiyan, an industrialist of Rupganj who was bullet hit on August 26, 2002, died at Dhaka Medical College Hospital the following day. Nabi, then officer-in-charge (OC) of Rupganj Police Station, investigated the murder and pressed charges against the killers.

Aslam, now free on bail, also threatened Public Prosecutor in the case Advocate Nurul Iman Babul with life. Babul said he asked for police protection to the OC of Kotwali Police Station.

Aslam did not show up at the scheduled hearing of the case yesterday.

Other prosecution witnesses in the case fear for life, as both police and public prosecutor have been threatened.

Kotwali police said they are taking necessary action.