Babar interfered in govt probe

A probe committee in its report could not name the NSI officials involved in unloading a huge cache of arms and explosives at the CUFL jetty in 2004 due to obstruction from ex-state minister for home Lutfozzaman Babar.
The chief of the investigation committee, Omar Faroque, also the home secretary at that time, said this in court here yesterday.
He made his deposition as a prosecution witness in two cases in connection with the seizure of 10 truckloads of arms and explosives in the wee hours of April 2, 2004.
While visiting the spot at Chittagong Urea Fertiliser Ltd (CUFL) and talking to its officials and law enforcers two days later, the committee came to know about the involvement of NSI officials, said Omar.
Though he had informed Babar about the matter, the minister did not allow him to name the NSI officials in the probe report.
The Chittagong Metropolitan Special Tribunal-1 adjourned the trial proceedings till June 12.
Earlier, the attorneys of accused Babar, Brig Gen (retd) Abdur Rahim, Maj (retd) Liakat and Akbar Hossain cross-examined SM Sabbir Ali, the then commissioner of Chittagong Metropolitan Police.
The cross-examination of Sabbir concluded yesterday.