Narail man shown arrested in war crimes case

`crimes against humanity during the Liberation War in 1971.

Md Badruddoza alias Badiuzzaman, 78, of Narail Sadar upazila, was shown arrested following a prosecution petition. Badruddoza, an alleged Razakar, is the fourth accused in the case.

The investigation of the case started on March 21 last year and the investigation officer has already found Badruddoza's involvement in crimes committed in 1971, Prosecutor Rezia Sultana Chaman told the tribunal and prayed to it for showing him arrested in the case.

Though Badruddoza is originally from Narail Sadar, he has been living in Dhaka for many years, Rezia told The Daily Star.

Police arrested him on March 8 from Dakkhinkhan area in the capital in connection with a case filed under Special Powers Act and he is now in Dhaka Central Jail.

Among three other accused, Abdul Wahab and Omar Ali Sheikh are now in jail while Khandakar Shawkat Ali Babul is on the run. All of them were alleged members of Razakar Bahini, an auxiliary force of the Pakistani army.

Meanwhile, the tribunal deferred the closing arguments to April 16 in a case filed against six Gaibandha men over committing crimes during the Liberation War in 1971.Yesterday was fixed for closing argument but the tribunal fixed the new date as its Chairman Justice Anwarul Hauqe is now abroad for treatment, Prosecutor Syed Sayedul Haque Sumon said.

Among the accused, Abu Saleh Md Abdul Aziz Mia, a former Jamaat lawmaker and alleged commander of local Razakar force; Ruhul Amin alias Manju, Abu Muslim Md Ali, Najmul Huda, and Abdur Rahim Mia, are on the run. Only Abdul Latif is in jail now.

Meanwhile, the tribunal rejected two petitions of defence counsel Gazi MH Tamim.  He filed a petition seeking inspection of the investigation report while another one to cross-examine the investigation officer of the case again.