ICT begins trial in RP Shaha killing case

The trial in a case filed in connection with the abduction and killing of philanthropist Ranada Prasad Shaha aka RP Shaha, his son and dozens other during the Liberation War in 1971, began yesterday.

Eminent educationist Pratibha Mutsuddy gave testimony as first prosecution witness in the case at the International Crimes Tribunal-1, linking Mahbubur Rahman of Tangail with the offences.

Before her testimony, Prosecutor Rana Dasgupta placed opening statement in front of the three-member tribunal, led by Justice Md Shahinur Islam.

Mahbubur, 69, the lone accused of the case and also an alleged Razakar from Mirzapur in Tangail, is facing three charges. He, however, pleaded not guilty before the tribunal.

In her long testimony, Pratibha, 84, a director of Kumudini Welfare Trust of Bengal, which was established by RP Shaha, gave details about RP Shaha and his philanthropic activities.

Pratibha, who received Ekushey Padak in 2002 as an educationist, said she joined Bharateswari Homes, an educational institution run by Kumudini Welfare Trust, in 1963 and served as its principal from 1968 to 1998.

She said after the Pakistan-India war in 1965, the then East Pakistan provincial governor Abdul Monem Khan declared Kumudini Trust as enemy property, and hatched conspiracy against RP Shaha.

One Maolana Abdul Wadud (now late) of Mirzapur used to oppose RP Shaha's philanthropic activities, she said, adding that Wadud became the chairman of Mirzapur Thana Peace Committee in 1971.

His two sons -- Abdul Mannan (now late) and Mahbubur Rahman (accused) were “infamous Razakars” and used to roam in the area wielding arms, Pratibha said.

During the Liberation War, RP Shaha, suffering from diseases, used to live in his village home in Mirzapur, she said.

In late April, 1971, Governor Monem Khan asked RP Shaha to meet him. Shaha, along with his son Bhabani Prashad Shaha, and Hafizur Rahman, medical superintendent of Kumudini Hospital, went to the Governor's house, the witness said.

As they left the governor's house, Pakistani army men pick RP Shaha and his son from gate to interrogate them, which they came to know when Hafizur came to Mirzapur, said Pratibha.

When RP Shaha's daughter contacted Mymensingh Cadet College Principal Lt Col Kayani to know about their whereabouts, he said they were kept at a Pakistani army camp. Pakistani army released them on May 5, and they went to Narayanganj two days later, she said.

Around 2:00pm on May 7, they came to hear gunshots near Kumudini Hospital, and she and RP Shaha's daughter Joyapati saw from the first floor of Bharateswari Homes that Wadud, his two sons including the accused, 20 to 30 Razakars and Pakistani army men was entering Kumudini Hospital, the witness said.

Pakistani army came there with several four-wheel drives and Wadud and his sons showed them the paths, Pratibha said, adding when Hafizur came out from the hospital, a Pakistani army official scolded him terming “Hindu, Malaun”.

When Hafizur said he is a Muslim, Wadud and his sons remained silent, which Hafizur told them later, said the witness.

Later, they entered into Bharateswari Homes killing its guard Zahur. They verbally abused RP Shaha, she said, adding that when he denied bringing the all girl students before them as per instruction of an army captain, the accused and other Razakars dragged the girls out and harassed them sexually.

After a local policeman said most of the girls are Muslim, Wadud, his sons and Pakistani army men left, but had some of their men guard the place, she said.

The attackers then divided into groups and attacked Hindu-dominated areas, she said.

Pratibha said she saw Wadud and his sons signaling to army men in the afternoon, as they opened fire on people there and set fire to Hindu houses. Around 9:00pm, when they visited the spot, they found 32 to 33 bodies, all of them were Hindus, she said.

On May 9, Chandra Mohon Shaha, a close associate of RP Shaha, came to Kumudini complex from Narayanganj on foot and said around 11:30pm on May 7, Wadud and his two sons  and some Razakars and army men picked up RP Shaha, his son Bhabani and three others, attacking their Narayanganj house, she said.

They remained traceless since then, an emotional Pratibha said.

The tribunal adjourned case proceedings until June 4, when the defence counsel will cross-examine her.