The Third Court of Rajshahi Additional Sessions Judge fixed today for taking depositions of four witnesses. It also asked the police to ensure security for the witnesses.

Trial of the case filed on April 1 by Ayub Ali Pramanik, a victim of brutalities by now banned Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), was scheduled to begin yesterday. But the judge decided to shift the date following a time petition by the state side.

Public Prosecutor (PP) Ekramul Haque and APP Khorshed Alam reasoned that they need time to prepare the witnesses for giving statements at the court.

Earlier on June 17, the court framed charges against 30 people including former telecommunications minister Aminul Haq, former deputy minister for land Ruhul Kuddus Talukder Dulu and Nadim Mostafa.

Of the accused, 14 including Dulu were produced before the court amid tight security. Aminul, Nadim and 14 others are on the run.

Sub Inspector Shakil Uddin Ahmed of Bagmara Police Station submitted the charge sheet on April 23.

Ayub in his case alleged that he was kidnapped and taken to Ramzan Kaya's house at Hamirkutsa of Bagmara on April 7 in 2004.

He was tortured until he paid a ransom of Tk 80,000. He said during his days in captivity, the militants named Aminul, Dulu and Nadim as their leaders.