Ramna Blasts
IO tells court of 14-month probe
An investigation officer (IO) of the murder case over the 2001 Pahela Baishakh blasts at Ramna Batamul yesterday narrated what he unearthed during his 14-month probe.
A Dhaka court recorded the statement of Mohammad Akhteruzzaman, the then detective branch assistant superintendent of police, also the second IO and a witness in the two cases filed over the attacks.
The court also recorded the statement of Akhteruzzaman as witness, who was later cross-examined by two of the accused.
Judge (in-charge) Mohammad Akhteruzzaman of the Second Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court also fixed today for the next hearing in the cases.
IO Akhteruzzaman said in his statement that he took over the charge of the investigation into the cases on April 14, 2001 and continued the probe till June 8, 2002.
After that he arrested Moulana Akbar Hussain, a Harkatul Jihad (Huji) leader, and 11 others for their alleged involvement in the Ramna blasts, which killed 10 people and injured 50 others.
One of the 12 accused, Akbar had given a confessional statement to a magistrate on June 24, 2001, when he disclosed names of several others responsible for the killing.
Akbar also confessed that he along with several others had planned the blasts at Rahmania Hafizia Madrassa in the city's Mohammadpur.
Later, the IO recorded statements of those who were injured and handed over the case docket to the DB office on June 8, 2002, as he was transferred to another place.
Eight of the accused, including Huji chief Mufti Abdul Hannan, now in jail custody, were produced before the court yesterday, while Akbar, now on bail, was also present.
Five others, including Moulana Tajuddin, a brother of BNP leader Abdus Salam Pintu, have been absconding.
The Ramna blasts were made on April 14, 2001, when throngs of people were celebrating Bangla New Year 1408. Following the attacks, two cases were filed with Ramna Police Station.
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