Defence reads out two PWs' statements
A defence lawyer yesterday read out two prosecution witnesses' statements on the charge of war criminal Salauddin Quader Chowdhury killing Natun Chandra Singha during the Liberation War.
SM Shahjahan placed the statements of Gouranga Singha, Natun's family member, and Natun's son Profulla Ranjon Singha during the third day's hearing on the appeal against Salauddin's death sentence International Crimes Tribunal-1 passed on October 1, 2013 over crimes against humanity.
The charge says Salauddin led the Pakistani occupation army to Kundeshwari Oushadhalay, which Natun owned, in Chittagong's Gohira and raided Kundeshwari Complex, where Natun lived, on April 13, 1971.
The army personnel fired at Natun and Salauddin shot him to confirm his death.
Gouranga testified hearing two or three gunshots within a span of one to two minutes hiding in a jungle south of Kundeshwari Complex.
He then sent a Muslim man he trusted, Ahmed Bashor, who informed that Natun was lying dead in front of the residence's temple.
Wrapping it in a canvas sheet, they kept the body inside the temple and left for India.
Gouranga returned with Natun's sons Profulla and Satya Ranjon about eight to 10 days after Bangladesh gained independence and heard more from an eyewitness.
The witness, Brojahori Karmokar, said he and another man, Gopal Das, hiding on Kundeshwari Complex's first floor, saw Salauddin along with some Bangalees and Punjabee military enter and leave after talking to Natun.
Soon afterwards, Salauddin returned with others and pulled Natun out of the temple. The Pakistani army fired the rapid shots followed by Salauddin two minutes later and then they left, added Gouranga.
Profulla testified that Natun was killed between 9:00am and 9:30am and that he had first heard about it from Jotish Dhar, headmaster of Rawjan High School, around 4:00pm.
He said he had left Kundeshwari Complex for shelter in India on April 11 and was engaged in issuing border passes at Ramgarh border on behalf of the Bangladesh government.
He stated to have heard the full description on his return from prosecution witnesses Gouranga and Gopal.
On October 29, 2013, the BNP leader appealed to the apex court against the verdict. The SC yesterday fixed resuming the hearing today.
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