Ctg violence cases: Order on SQ Chy’s discharge pleas Nov 10

In this file photo, Salauddin Quader Chowdhury makes one of his trademark gestures at the international crimes tribunal in Dhaka.

A Chittagong court today fixed November 10 to decide whether it will discharge convicted war criminal Salauddin Quader Chowdhury from two cases filed for vandalism and arson on Dhaka-Chittagong highway in 2010.

The court will also take decision on the two petitions filed by the prosecution seeking more time for further investigation in the cases, reports our Chittagong correspondent.

 Earlier around 10:45am, Chowdhury was produced before the Court of Chittagong District and Sessions Judge AKM Nasiruddin Mahmud.

Public Prosecutor Abul Hasem told the court that names of many people who were involved in the incidents had not been included in the charge sheets. So, they need more time for further investigation in the cases.

On the other hand, Abdus Sattar, a counsel of Chowdhury, prayed to the court for discharging his client from the cases.

Chowdhury was taken to Chittagong from Kashimpur jail in Gazipur last night for producing him before the court.   

According to court sources, on November 7, 2010, a group of people vandalised and set fire to vehicles in Bansbaria and Salimpur areas in Sitakunda upazila of Chittagong, hearing the rumour of Chowdhury’s arrest and protesting the government-imposed restriction on BNP’s holding rally at Paltan in Dhaka.

Following the incident, police filed two cases with Sitakunda Police Station in this connection.

Later, on September 12, 2011 charge sheets of the cases were submitted with Chowdhury as a prime accused.

On October 1 last year, International Crimes Tribunal sentenced Chowdhury to death for committing crimes against humanity and genocide during the country’s Liberation War in 1971.