Judicial inquiry into Shafi’s death demanded

A faction of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh Tuesday demanded judicial inquiry into the 'unnatural death' of the organisation's Amir Allama Shah Ahmed Shafi.

They also demanded exemplary punishment to those involved in the unnatural death, after investigating the case filed by Allama Shafi's brother-in-law Maolana Mainuddin Rahi.

Maolana Yusuf Bin Ahmed Shafi Al Madani, eldest son of the deceased, raised the demand from a press conference at the National Press Club in the capital on Tuesday.

In his written statement at the press conference, he said, "During the three days before the death of Allama Shah Ahmad Shafi, infernal violence and destruction were carried out at the Hathazari Madrasa. The world has witnessed the vandalism of his office room and other teachers' rooms through social media.

Alleging that at the last moment of his life, Ahmed Shafi was not allowed to take the much needed medicine, he said, "Power connection to his room was disconnected, furniture were vandalised, his oxygen mask was removed and hospitalisation was intentionally delayed. Putting a broken glass to his grandchild's throat, miscreants threatened to kill the child if he did not resign."

Alleging that Shafi was murdered in a planned way, his son said, "Everything happened in front of the countrymen. Common students were incited by an extremist group that infiltrated into the madrasa from outside."

"On December 23, the so-called Amir of Hefazat Junaid Babunagari said in front of Hathazari Madrasa teachers that Shafi had died a natural death. What an extreme lie! We do not know the language to condemn it."

"Junaid Babungari has repeatedly said that the death of Allama Shafi was normal. And in support of this, he is citing my confession given through video message. This confession was taken from me by force on 22 September and it was released a week later. This proves that the conspiracy was hatched to mislead the people in order to save the militants and terrorists."

Claiming that the video message was forcibly taken, the Hifazat leader said, "I was taken hostage by force and was intimidated to give the confession."

"I want to state clearly that my father's death was not normal. On 23 December, at a press conference at Hathazari Madrasa, Babunagari presented my confession as an evidence se of my father's normal death. He warned of creating movement if the case filed over my father's unnatural death is not withdrawn. The case was filed not to harass anybody. If any kind of obstruction is created to investigation of this case, Babunagari and his accomplices will have to bear the responsibility."

At the press conference, Mufti Faizullah, joint secretary general of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh, said, "We will form Hefazat committees all over the country. How can Babunagari form a committee after resigning from the organisation? We are rejecting his committee. They have deliberately killed Allama Shafi. We demand justice for this murder."

At the press conference, they raised four demands. The demands are: exemplary punishment to those involved in the unnatural death of Allama Ahmad Shafi after unearthing the mystery behind the death; immediate arrest of real culprits after identifying them through investigating the case filed by his family; security of Allama Shafi's family members and his followers must be ensured; immediate legal action against those who are threatening to drop the unnatural death case; and removal of opposition from all religious and social organisations left by Allama Shafi.

The press conference was attended by, among others, Ruhul Amin, central leader of Hefazat-e-Islam Nurul Amin, Allama Shafi's younger son Anas bin Ahmed Shafi, Joint Secretary General of Hefazat Maolana Salimullah, Maolana Mainuddin Rahi, and Nayeb Amir Abul Hasanat Amini.

However, the leaders of Hefazat-e-Islam hurriedly ended the press conference without answering all the questions of the journalists.