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Download PDF A special court yesterday framed charges against former prime minister Khaleda Zia’s son Tarique Rahman, former state minister for home Lutfozzaman Babar and six others in a case filed for Tk 21 crore bribery over Sabbir murder.
Judge Shahed Noor Uddin of the Special Court-3 also fixed July 24 for deposition of the witnesses to begin.
Tarique, also senior joint secretary general of BNP, was not produced before the court as he has been exempted from personal appearance on medical grounds.
Of the accused, Babar and Abu Sufian, director of a Bashundhara Group concern, were in the dock during the proceedings while defence counsel Sanaullah Mia stood for Tarique. The rest are on the run.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the case on October 4 last year, accusing six of bribery to cover up the murder of Bashundhara Group executive Humayun Kabir Sabbir whose body was found outside a building in Bashundhara residential area on July 5, 2006.
The six were Babar, Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan alias Shah Alam, his two sons Shafiat Sobhan Sanvir and Sadaat Sobhan, Abu Sufian and Mia Nur Uddin Apu.
Tarique and former BNP lawmaker Qazi Saleemul Huq Kamal were included in the charge sheet after investigation found their involvement in the crime.
As proceedings began yesterday morning, the judge rejected the discharge petition filed for Tarique, Babar and Sufian, and said there is enough primary evidence to frame charges against the accused.
At that time, Tarique’s counsel barrister Rafiqul Islam Mia submitted a petition for adjournment. He argued that since a writ petition for dismissal of the case is pending at the High Court, charges should not be framed now.
Opposing the defence prayer, the prosecution said the HC did not give any order against charge framing.
On hearing both the sides, the court asked the prosecution to read out the charges to the accused.
Detailing the charges, prosecution lawyer Syed Shamim said the accused had a meeting between them at Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan alias Shah Alam’s Bailey Road residence to settle the deal to cover up Sabbir murder.
There, Babar and Tarique reached an understanding with Shah Alam that he would give them Tk 50 crore so his son Sanvir did not have to face murder charges.
According to the agreement, Babar received Tk 21 crore and sent Abu Sufian to Hawa Bhaban to give Tarique Tk 1 crore from the amount on August 20, 2006. Sufian handed over the money to Tarique’s personal secretary Apu.
This is how Shah Alam’s sons managed to flee the country with assistance from Tarique and Babar, he added.
Both Babar and Abu Sufian pleaded innocent when the prosecution lawyer asked if they are guilty or not. Tarique’s lawyer Sanaullah Mia said his client too is innocent.
After the hearing, the court fixed the date for witness testimony.
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