Contradiction in IOs, prosecution witnesses’ statements

The defence lawyer for Huji leader Abu Sayeed alias Dr Zafar yesterday for the second day continued his closing arguments in cases filed over the August 21 grenade attack on an Awami League rally in 2004.

During the yesterday’s arguments, lawyer Mohammad Ali read out the statements of 121 prosecution witnesses including two investigation officers of the cases and cited contradictions in their statements.

Ali also started reading out the statements of the charge sheets but could not complete and sought time for concluding his closing arguments in the cases.

Later, Judge Shahed Nuruddin of the Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 of Dhaka set up adjacent to Dhaka Central Jail, adjourned the hearing till today when the defence counsel will resume his arguments.

In his arguments, Ali said Huji leader Mufti Abdul Hannan gave a confessional statement where Hannan involved his client. His client also gave a confessional statement. There is a contradiction between the two statements.

Twenty-four leaders and activists of the AL and its associate bodies were killed and over 300 others suffered splinter injuries in the August 21 attack. Ivy Rahman, the then Mohila AL president and also the wife of late president Zillur Rahman, was among the deceased.

Many of the injured became crippled for life while Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the then opposition leader, narrowly escaped the attack with ear injuries.

Of the 49 accused, eight, including three former inspector generals of police, are now on bail while 18, including BNP Senior Vice Chairman Tarique Rahman, absconding.

Twenty-three accused, including former state minister for home Lutfozzaman Babar and ex-deputy minister for education Abdus Salam Pintu, now behind bars, were produced before the court yesterday.