Today the Tribunal heard matters in the following cases:

1. Chief Prosecutor vs. Salauddin Qader Chowdhury

In the Salauddin Qader Chowdhury case, the Defense continued the cross-examination of Prosecution witness 41, the Investigation Officer Md Nurul Islam. Thereafter, the Tribunal adjourned the proceedings of the case until tomorrow, 4 June, 2013.

Cross Examination of Prosecution Witness 41
The Defense asked the witness when he joined the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), about his post, and whether he had worked in the CID in Chittagong. The witness answered that he joined the CID in July 1996 as a sub-inspector but did not work in the CID in Chittagong. The Defense asked the witness about his personal details, including his school and his education. The Defense asked the witness who, in 1971, held certain police posts in Chittagong. The witness answered that he did not investigate that. The Defense also asked the witness who, in 1971, held the post of Officer-in-Chief of the Hathazari, Boalkhali, Kotoali and Rawzan police stations. The witness answered that he cannot recall whether or not he investigated that. The Defense asked the witness whether he had interrogated any member of the police was held a post in 1971, or investigated the GDE and EUD records of the cases of these police stations. The witness answered that he did not. The Defense asked the witness whether he investigated the record of the documents regarding the people who were killed in these police stations in 1971, or the looting which took place in these police stations in 1971. The witness answered that he did not investigate into these matters.

The Defense asked the witness about the complaint petitioner. The witness answered that he is the complaint petitioner. The Defense asked the witness whether he had any documents showing that Salauddin Qader Chowdhury had been a member of a political party before 1978. The Defense also asked whether the witness had interrogated any leader of any political party regarding Salauddin Qader Chowdhury’s political identity before 1978. The witness answered that he did not have documents showing Salauddin Qader Chowdhury’s involvement with a political party before 1978, and that he did not interrogate any leader regarding this matter but he investigated the matter locally. The Defense claimed that in 1971 Salauddin Qader Chowdhury was not a student of any school, college or university located in Chittagong. The witness admitted that.

The Defense asked the witness whether he knew that Salauddin Qader Chowdhury lost his mother at an early age, and that Chowdhury’s father married again after his mother’s death and owned her property. The witness answered that he heard that Fazlul Qader Chowdhury had a second marriage, but did not know whether Salauddin Qader Chowdhury lost his mother at an early age. The Defense asked the witness whether he had any documents showing that Salauddin Qader Chowdhury resided in Chittagong in 1971. The witness answered that Salauddin Qader Chowdhury resided with his father Fazlul Qader Chowdhury in 1971. The Defense then claimed that Fazlul Qader Chowdhury had three houses in Bangladesh, including one located in Dhanmondi, Dhaka, and another house in Pakistan. The Defense repeated the question again, asking whether the witness had any documents showing that in 1971 Salauddin Qader resided in Chittagong. The witness answered that he had documents, which were the GR register of the Zilla Police Court, two copies of Complaints, reports of the Court Inspector and fortnightly reports and newspaper cuttings. The Defense claimed that the name Salauddin Qader Chowdhury was not on the list of voters before 1979. The witness answered that he did not know. The Defense claimed that the Complaints and the GR register were recorded in 1972. Witness admitted that, but added that the incidents discussed in those complaints took place in 1971. The Defense claimed that in 1971, several cases were filed against the Pakistani Army for killing, mass killing and looting. The witness answered that he did not receive any records regarding these matters, and that is why he did not know. The Defense claimed that the witness is not telling the truth, even if he is aware of the fact. The witness answered that this is not true. The Defense asked the witness whether he had recorded any interview with any witness showing that Salauddin Qader Chowdhury resided in Goods Hill, Chittagong in 1971, or interviewed anyone who resided near Goods Hill. The witness answered that this information is in the testimony of different witness.

The Defense asked the witness whether he had seized any newspaper from 1971 showing Salauddin Qader Chowdhury’s relation with the Pakistani Army. The witness answered that he did not. The Defense asked the witness whether he had any document showing that Salauddin Qader Chowdhury had any involvement with the Muslim League Convention in 1971, or any documents showing that Salauddin Qader Chowdhury attended any meeting with his father Fazlul Qader Chowdhury. The witness answered that he did not have any such documents. The Defense claimed that there are many examples available in the world showing that the son and father are supporters of two different political parties. The witness admitted that such examples are available, but added that Salauddin Qader Chowdhury was a follower of his father, and that is why he later on was involved with the politics of the Muslim League. The witness further said that from the police reports, it was evident that Salauddin Qader Chowdury was a candidate of the Convention Muslim League. The Defense asked the witness whether he had verified this information with the Election Commission. The witness answered that he had not. The Defense claimed that the police report was a fake report created on the instruction of the witness. The witness denied the suggestion.