Philanthropist RP Shaha, Son: Tangail man charged with kidnap, killing
Prosecution has pressed charges against a Tangail man in connection with the abduction and killing of philanthropist Ranada Prasad Shaha, his son Bhabani Prasad Shaha and five others during the Liberation War in 1971.
Mahbubur Rahman, 69, of Mirzapur in Tangail, has also been charged with the abduction and killing of 55 other people in two other incidents in 1971, Prosecutor Rezia Sultana Chaman said.
After getting the charges, the International Crimes Tribunal-1 yesterday set January 31 for deciding whether it would take the charges into cognisance.
On November 2 last year, the investigation agency of the tribunal said to have found significant evidence that Mahbubur was involved in the abduction and killing of Ranada, his son and 60 others in 1971.
The agency later handed over the probe report and other documents to the chief prosecutor's office. On Wednesday, prosecutors, Rana Dasgupta and Rezia, submitted the charges to the tribunal through its registrar office.
Mahbubur was arrested on November 7, 2015, and is now in jail. The Jamaat adherent ran for chairman of Mirzapur Union Parishad as an independent candidate thrice but was defeated, investigators said.
At a press conference on November 2 last year, investigation agency's coordinator Abdul Hannan Khan said Mahbubur's late father Abdul Wadud alias Wadud Moulana was the chairman of Mirzapur Peace Committee, an anti-liberation organisation, while he and his late brother were involved in Razakar Bahini, an auxiliary force of the Pakistan army, in 1971.
At the conference, the agency's co-coordinator Sanaul Huq said the Pakistan army detained Ranada Prasad Shaha, also known as RP Shaha, and his son Bhabani on April 29 for interrogation and confined them to Mohammadpur Physical Training Centre until they were freed on May 5 in 1971.
On May 7, in the presence of Mahbubur and his brother Mannan, the Pakistan army raided Kumudini Complex in Mirzapur to kill RP Shaha, Sanaul said.
Failing to find him there, they harassed the doctors of Kumudini Hospital and teachers and students of Bharateswari Homes, he said.
Both the organisations were founded by RP Shaha.
Around 10:00pm that day, Mahbubur, along with local Razakars and some 20 to 25 Pakistan army men, raided RP Shaha's home in Khanpur of Narayanganj.
They abducted him, his son, his associate Gour Gopal Shaha, and four others and took them to Adamjee Burma Eastern Oil Depot, Sanaul mentioned.
Later, the seven were killed and their bodies were dumped in the Shitalakkhya river, said Sanaul, adding that their bodies were never found.
RP Shaha, born on November 15, 1896, was a successful businessman. He placed all his companies and businesses in a trust to use the proceeds for public welfare.
Kumudini Welfare Trust of Bengal thus came into existence, according to the trust's website.
RP Shaha established a hospital in remote Mirzapur to provide free healthcare. The philanthropist founded several educational institutions, including the renowned Bharateswari Homes for girls.
TWO OTHER CHARGES
Sanaul said in the presence of and with the assistance of Mahbubur, his father and brother, the Pakistan army attacked Shahapara in Mirzapur and killed 33 Hindu people on May 7.
On May 15, Mahbubur and his father, along with 15 to 20 Razakars, picked up 24 Hindu people from different villages in the upazila, Sanaul mentioned.
Later, Mahbubur handed them over to the Pakistan army who tortured 22 of them to death, he added.
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