Defence seeks acquittal of all five accused

The defense side on the concluding day of their argument yesterday sought acquittal of all the five accused in the case filed for rape and murder of law student Rupa Khatun on a moving bus in Madhupur upazila under the district on the night of August 25 last year.

The argument was completed at the Court of Abul Mansur Miah, acting judge of Tangail Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal.

The court fixed today for arguments of the both sides on law points.

Lawyers of the five accused, Shamim Chowdhury Dayal and Delwar Hossain told the court that none of the witnesses, including the complainant and the investigation officer of the case, and the doctor who conducted autopsy of the body could prove the allegations brought against the accused.

The confessional statements that the accused gave to the court under Section 164 were made under pressure and intimidation by the police, the two lawyers said.

Earlier, the state side on the concluding day of their argument on January 31 sought capital punishment for all the five accused in the case saying that they were able to prove the allegations.