Blast Before Hasina's 2001 Rally

Sylhet court records deposition of PW

6 July 2009, 17:00 PM

Staff Correspondent, Sylhet

A Sylhet court yesterday recorded deposition of a prosecution witness (PW) in the sensational case for bomb blast that took place in the city's Fajilchist area, hours before Sheikh Hasina's election rally at Government Alia Madrasa maidan on the night of September 26, 2001. The bomb went off at the house of physician-cum-businessman-Dr Arif Ahmed Momtaz Rifa, killing three youths on the spot. Investigators said the youths were making bombs for attack on Hasina at her election rally. After the incident, a case was filed with Kotwali Police Station. Investigation Officer (IO) pressed charges against Dr Arif Ahmed Momtaz Rifa, Masum Ahmed Shakil, Sheikh Shahjahan and Abu Obaida. In 2008, CID submitted a supplementary charge sheet naming Mufti Abdul Hannan and his accomplice Maulana Abu Sayeed as accused. The prosecution witness (PW), Bipul Sinha, an employee of Colour Lab attached to Dr Arif's house, gave his statement before Additional District and Sessions Judge. With this, the court has so far recorded statements of five out of a total of 44 prosecution witnesses. Judge Jalaluddin Ahmed fixed August 5 for recording the statements of other PWs. Mufti Hannan, Maulana Abu Sayeed, Masum Ahmed Shakil and Sheikh Shahjahan were produced in the court yesterday. Another accused, Abu Obaida, has been absconding since the filing of the case.