Judge Shahed Noor Uddin of the Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 stayed the proceeding as the lawyers of Ripon Khan, one of the 18 accused in the case, submitted certified copy of the stay order of the High Court (HC). Ripon is now on bail.

The lawyers told the court that they had earlier filed a criminal appeal with the HC challenging the jurisdiction of the tribunal in holding trial of the case as the occurrence was committed prior to the promulgation of the Speedy Trial Act.

After the hearing, the HC Division comprising Justice S.K Sinha and Justice Shahidul Islam issued a rule upon the government asking to explain why the impugned order dated 23-9-2004 of the tribunal should not be set aside. The HC also stayed the proceeding of the case for three months.

Meanwhile, two prosecution witnesses, including the first investigation officer Shakhawat Hossain, appeared before the court for giving their statements. But the lawyers of Ripon submitted the stay order.

Earlier, the court recorded statements of 15 prosecution witnesses, including victim's mother and wife.

Saidur Rahman Newton, Commissioner of Ward no. 8, was gunned down by a gang of miscreants at Dhanmondi in the city on May 10, 2002.

Accused Killer Abbas, Benga Babu and six others are now in the custody while Kala Zahangir and eight others are on the run.