After seven days' hearing on arguments from the prosecution and the defence, Judge Shahed Noor Uddin of the Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 yesterday fixed the date for the verdict of the gruesome murder.

The tribunal also cancelled bails of accused Nurul Islam's brother Rakib Uddin Sarker Pappu, Ayub, Nurul Amin and Kabir Hossain and ordered to send them to the Dhaka Central Jail.

The tribunal recorded statements of prosecution witnesses, including the victim's younger brother Matiur Rahman, who is also the complainant, and son Zabid Ahsan Sohel.

About 20 gunmen fired on a rally of the Shechchhasebak League, the volunteer front of the AL, and killed Ahsanullah Master at Noagaon near his residence in Tongi on May 7 last year.

A schoolboy, Omar Faruq Ratan, was also killed and at least five others were injured in the incident.

Matiur Rahman filed a murder case with the Tongi Police Station the same day against Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal leader Nurul Islam Sarker and 16 others.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) probed the case and on July 10 last year pressed charges against Nurul Islam Sarker for masterminding the assassination with political motive.

During the investigation, accused Mahbub gave a confessional statement to a first class magistrate disclosing names of others involved in the killings.

The four-member CID team led by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Khalequzzaman also accused 29 others for the killing after the 60-day probe.

Later, the home ministry shifted the case to the Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 for quick disposal.

The tribunal framed charges against Nurul Islam Sarker and 29 others on October 28 last year and its trial began on November 2.

Accused Nurul Islam Sarker, Amir, Monir, Dulal Miah, Mahbubur Rahman, Jahangir, Mohammad Ali, Sohag alias Seru and Boro Jahangir are in police custody.

Accused Nurul Islam Dipu, his brothers Shahidul Islam Shipu and Ohidul Islam Tipu, Kana Hafiz, Bulu Miah, Faisal, Boro Ratan, Chhoto Ratan, Al Amin, Rony, Moshihur, Khokon, Anwar Hossain Anu, Salam, Syed Ahmed Maznu, Babu and Mymensingh Zahangir are absconding.