Murder case filed over Jamaat leader's death in Sherpur

A murder case has been filed two days after the death of a Jamaat-e-Islami leader during clashes between supporters of rival political parties in Sherpur.

More than 700 people have been named as accused in the case, including a BNP candidate contesting the Sherpur-3 parliamentary seat.

Police said the case was filed on Friday night by the victim's wife at Jhenaigati Police Station.

The victim, 40-year-old Rezaul Karim, was the secretary of Jamaat's Sreebordi Upazila unit and a lecturer at a local madrasa.

According to police, the case names BNP nominee Md Mahmudul Haque Rubel and 234 leaders and activists of the BNP and its affiliated organisations. A further 400 to 500 unidentified individuals have also been listed as suspects.

The violence broke out on Jan 28 during an event organised by the local administration to read out the election manifestos of rival candidates ahead of the Feb 12 parliamentary election.

Witnesses said an argument over seating escalated into clashes between BNP and Jamaat supporters, with violence continuing intermittently until the evening. More than 100 people from both sides were injured.    �"bdnews24