Tortured at Goods Hill

A prosecution witness in a war crimes case yesterday said he was tortured at the Good Hill residence of Salauddin Quader Chowdhury's father in Chittagong after Pakistani army along with some civilians took him there during the Liberation War.
The Pakistani army while talking with each other later mentioned that Salauddin Quader was among the civilians, Nizamuddin Ahmed, 59, told the International Crimes Tribunal-1 in his deposition.
Another son and a daughter of Fazlul Quader Chowdhury were teasing Nizamuddin while he was being tortured at that house, added the witness who is a freelance journalist.
Nizamuddin set up a camp for the freedom fighters at a demolished house on Hazari Lane from where he along with two of his friends was held in July in 1971.
The witness said they were taken to an army camp at Chittagong Stadium where they were interrogated and tortured first. Nizamuddin was eventually sent to jail and remained behind bars till November 18, 1971.
The witness gave deposition for about 75 minutes.
During his cross-examination defence counsel Ahsanul Huq Hena asked him whether he filed any case regarding the torture in 1971. In reply to another question, he said the army recovered two grenades and a revolver from his house.
Salauddin Quader is facing 23 charges of crimes against humanity committed during the Liberation War. He was produced before the tribunal yesterday.
The proceeding of the case was adjourned until today.
SAYEDEE'S CASE
The tribunal chaired by Justice Md Nizamul Huq yesterday in a short order fixed November 5 for the prosecution to place argument against another Jamaat leader and war crimes accused Delawar Hossain Sayedee.
The tribunal also gave the defence one last chance to produce their remaining four witnesses today.
The tribunal chairman asked the prosecution to submit a sum-up of their argument in written version not exceeding 10 pages apart from the oral presentation.
DEFENCE COUNSEL SHOWCAUSED
The same tribunal yesterday asked a defence counsel for Jamaat-e-Islami leader M Tajul Islam to show cause as to why legal steps should not be taken against him for 'misconduct' in the courtroom.
The tribunal directed him to make his reply in 15 days and said following his reply proper action would be taken.
The tribunal issued the order after Tajul walked out of the courtroom defying an order to remain calm and have his seat.
On Sunday Tajul was engaged in a heated altercation with witness Misbahur Rahman Chowdhury who was being testified in a war crimes case against Jamaat Ameer Matiur Rahman Nizami.
Tajul yesterday sought protection from the tribunal in a rude manner though the tribunal repeatedly asked him to take his seat.
At one point, Tajul told the tribunal if he was not given protection, he would leave the courtroom.
The tribunal chairman then gave a reminder to the defence counsel quoting rules of the tribunal that such leaving would be 'misconduct'.
Even after that Tajul left the courtroom.
The tribunal made an observation that Tajul always seems to be agitated at the tribunal.
"There was a dispute yesterday while the case proceeding was going on. In the dispute, in every three or four minutes he stood up and reacted," the tribunal said, adding, the witness made a comment addressing Tajul which angered the defence counsel.
The tribunal observed that Tajul was responsible for what happened on Sunday afternoon.
The tribunal also noted that it had issued a show-cause notice to Tajul on the same ground earlier but later recalled it on the request of defence counsel Mizanul Islam.
Mizanul yesterday completed cross-examination of Misbahur Rahman.
Nizami, facing 16 specific charges of crimes against humanity committed during the Liberation War, was produced before the tribunal.
Meanwhile, Abdus Sobhan Tarafder, defence counsel for another Jamaat leader Abdul Quader Mollah in a war crimes case yesterday cross-examined investigation officer of the case Abdur Razzaque Khan throughout the day at the International Crimes Tribunal-2.