Dhaka: The trial in a case against former Awami League lawmaker Golam Mawla Rony for assaulting a journalist began on Thursday with framing charges against him.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Snigdha Rani Chakraborty framed the charges against Rony after rejecting a petition by the accused for exemption from the case.

The court fixed October 20 for hearing witness accounts.

Advocate Kabir Hossain led the hearing for Rony while Taslima Yeasmin Dipa represented the state.

Rony, a former member of parliament from Patuakhali-3 constituency, along with his supporters reportedly assaulted two journalists of Independent Television on July 21, 2013 when they went to Rony’s office on the 9^th floor of ‘Meherba Plaza’ at Topkhana Road in the city to verify some allegations against him.

A case was filed against him on the same day.

A team of the Detective Branch (DB) of police arrested Rony from the city’s Badda area on July 24, only hours after the issuance of a warrant of arrest against him.

Two other cases were filed against him on August 11 with Golachipa

Police Station in Patuakhali on charge of giving death threat and

demanding toll

On July 25, a Dhaka court sent Rony to jail rejecting his bail prayer in the case.

On September 16, 2013, Rony was released from Kashimpur jail after six days after securing bail from the High Court in all the three cases.

On June 26, 2014, sub-inspector of Shahbag Police Station Abu Jafar submitted a charge sheet against Rony.