Closing arguments for ex-CID officials completed

The defence lawyer for three former officials of Criminal Investigation Department (CID), yesterday completed closing arguments in the cases filed over August 21 grenade attack on Awami League rally in 2004.

The former officials are CID Special Superintendent of Police Ruhul Amin, CID ASPs Abdur Rashid and Munshi Atiqur Rahman, accused of diverting the probe and for falsely implicating Joj Mia in the case, who was later found innocent.

During the hearing Advocate Abdus Sobhan Tarafdar said his clients were implicated in the cases as part of a conspiracy to harass them, and they did not make any attempt to divert the probe.

The three officials took charge of the investigation in August 25, 2004 and made a sketch map of the place of occurrence, seizure list and recorded statements of 66 people, the lawyer said.

During the trial, prosecution produced most of the witnesses, including Awami League leaders late Suranjit Sengupta and Kazi Zafarullah before the court.

Denying false implication of Joj Mia, the lawyer said, he was produced before the court for recording confessional statement after he agreed to do so. 

Therefore, the officials' probed the cases with due diligence, Tarafdar argued.

Earlier, defence lawyer for 42 others accused including BNP Senior Vice-Chairman Tarique Rahman, completed their closing arguments and sought acquittal.