The accused are listed criminal Mohon, Abdur Rouf, Abdul Aziz, Mojid Babu, Adel, 'Gol' Taiju and Mosharraf Hossain. They are among 23 accused in the case filed on November 9, 1998.

Public Prosecutor Abdullah Mahmud Hassan submitted the petition on April 29 in 2004 along with a home ministry letter that recommended withdrawal of the case, terming it 'politically motivated'.

Judge SM Mojibur Rahman of the First Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court yesterday set the date for hearing on the issue.

However, the trial of the case against 16 other accused, including two listed criminals -- Ishaq Sarker and 'Chapati' Shamsu, will continue.

According to the prosecution, a gang of criminals fired gunshots at on-duty policemen in front of the BNP office at Bangshal in Dhaka on November 9, 1998. At one stage, Ishaq Sarker and Abdur Rouf, who is now at large, fired gunshots indiscriminately at the policemen, leaving Abdus Salam, a pedestrian, dead on the spot.

The victim's wife Bilkis Begum filed the murder case against 23 people the same day.

The investigation officer pressed charges against a total of 23 people on February 28, 2001, showing 36 people as prosecution witnesses.

On April 13, 2004, the home ministry in a letter informed the district magistrate of Dhaka that it had decided to withdraw charges against the seven accused because the charges were 'politically motivated'.

The ministry also asked the magistrate to hand over the matter to the metropolitan public prosecutor, who would arrange withdrawal of the case with permission from the trial court.

Case against Mirza Khokon
The same court yesterday fixed October 3 for hearing on another government petition regarding withdrawal of rickshawpuller Asadul Haq murder case filed against Dhaka City Corporation Ward Commissioner Mirza Khokon in November 1998.

PP Abdullah Mahmud Hassan submitted the petition on July 17 this year along with a home ministry letter that recommended withdrawal of the case terming it 'politically motivated'.

However, the trial of the case against five other fugitives -- Kashem, Swadhin, Swapan, Masum and Maichcha -- will continue.

According to the prosecution, a procession led by Khokon was brought out in support of a hartal called by the then opposition BNP in front of Khilgaon Bazar at about 2:45pm on November 10, 1998.

At one stage, several bombs were exploded that left rickshawpuller Asad, who waiting on the roadside for passengers, seriously injured. He was admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries the next day.

Sub-Inspector Shahjahan Kabir of Khilgaon Police Station filed a murder case against Khokon and five others in this connection. The investigation officer pressed charges against them on September 21, 2001 and the court framed charges on July 25, 2002.

On June 19 this year, the home ministry in a letter informed the district magistrate of Dhaka that it had decided to withdraw charges against Khokon because the charges were 'politically motivated'.

The ministry also asked the magistrate to hand over the matter to the metropolitan public prosecutor, who would arrange withdrawal of the case with permission from the trial court.