Sunday, February 26, 2012

1 Feb 2012: Ghorami cross examination

After the 23rd witness finished his evidence in chief, the defence counsel Mizanul Islam started the cross examination then.
Defence: Madhu Babu, the name of your daughter was given in accordance to the Hindu religion, right?

Witness: Yes.

Defence: Mr. Madhu, can you please tell us the name of Imam (religious post of a mosque) of that mosque where you were persecuted into becoming a Muslim.

Witness: No, I cannot remember.

Defence: Do you have any idea what is Azaan (is something used to call the people 5 times in a day to come to mosque to say the prayer)? What was the name of Moajjem (religious post of a mosque) of that mosque then?

.Witness: No, I cannot remember.

Defence: Have you ever heard the name of Yaseen Mawlana?

Witness: Yes, I have heard.

Defence: Do you know that he had a Khanka (house used by Muslim religious leader to meet people) at Parerhaat where he used to stay sometimes?

Witness: No, I cannot remember.

Defence: Do you know Kashem (Kashem Ali Hawladar alias Kashem Master) of Haji Bari of Hoglabnia?

Witness: Yes, I know.

Defence: Do you know Razzak Rajakar?

Witness: Yes, I know.

Defence: Mr. Madhu, rajakaars came to your house once, right?

Witness: Yes.

Defence: Do you know how far Hoglabunia is from Parerhaat marketplace?

Witness: It is about half a kilometre.

Defence: It is true that, there was no other way to go Parerhaat marketplace without crossing Chalna Bridge?

Witness: No, It is not true.

Defence: When did the Ashirbaad (ritual formalities of Hindu marriage) of your marriage take place?

Witness: I guess 2 or 3 days before the marriage.

Defence: When was the Lagna (exact time for the Hindu marriage to be taken place fixed by the Hindu religious leader called Pandeet)?

Witness: It was at night.

Defence: When was the post wedding ceremony celebrated?

Witness: No, it was not celebrated.

Defence: Did you celebrate Ghorani-Firani (a Hindu ritual programme) programme? Or had you ever been to your in-laws house for Oshtomongola (a Hindu ritual programme).

Witness: No.

Defence: Where did you start to live after getting married?

Witness: At my house in Hoglabunia.

Defence: Do you know Sayed Uddin father of Abdus Subhan and Sultan?

Witness: Yes.

Defence: It is true you sold all of your property (land, house everything) to them 2 years bfore the Liberation War?

Witness: No, it is not true.

Defence: Ok, you did not sell the same in 1969, however, you sold all of your property to Abdus Subhan and Sultan. Is not it?

Witness: No, I only sold my own part of property but they took over my brother’s property also as I am an illiterate person I was unable to understand their cheating. They took 54 decimal of land instead of 10 decimal.

Defence: When did it happened?

Witness: 2 years before Liberation War.

Defence: After the selling of your part of the property, you started to live in your deceased brother’s part, right?

Witness: Yes, I started to live in my deceased brother Nikunjan alias Shadhu Ghorami’s house.

Defence: Do you and your sister-in-law (deceased brother Nikunjan alias Shadhu Ghorami’s wife) live at the same house?

Witness: Yes.

Defence: How much older is Shdhu Ghorami than you?

Witness: Two years older.

Defence: Your sister in laws might be younger than you, is not it?

Witness: Yes, she might be.

Defence: Did your wife used to go to marketplace?

Witness: No.

Defence: After being persecuted to become a Muslim, you did not need to hide here and there- is that true?

Witness: I used to stay at my house; however, I started to hide again after Kirshna Saha was killed.

Defence: 9 people were killed at Hoglabunia in 1971. Were you persecuted before that?

Witness: Yes.

Defence: When did the occupation force came to Parerhat?

Witness: Yes, they came to Parerhat and started looting, arson, killing etc. (He did not answer as per the question)

Defence: During the war, arms were looted at Pirojpur. Did you hear that?

Witness: Yes.

Defence: During the war, money was looted at Pirojpur. Did you hear that?

Witness: Yes.

Defence: Can you please tell us, whether the occupation forces came before or after those incidents?

Witness: Yes, the occupation force came after those incidents.

Defence: So Mr. Madhu, the peace committee was formed at Parerhat after the occupation force came, right?

Witness: No. Thats not true. Peace committee was formed at Parerhat before the occupation force came.

Defence: And what about rajakar force? (When did the rajakar force was formed at Parerhat)

Witness: Both the peace committee and rajakar force were formed at the same time.

Defence: Peace committee was formed by Danesh Mollah, Sekender Shikder, Delwar Shikder s/o Rosul Shikder and Moslem Maulana, right?

Witness: Yes.

Defence: Rajakar Razzak, Delwar Shikder s/o Rosul Shikder were beaten to death by local people and freedom fighters, is that tue?

Witness: Yes, they were killed at Pirojpur.

Defence: Did Mr Helal (CIO) inform you before taking your statement?

Witness: Yes, he informed me.

Defence: Did you make any statement to anyone before making statement to Mr Helal (CIO)?

Witness: No, I did not.

Defence: Did your wife use to know any member of peace committee or rajakar?

Witness: No, she did not then.
At this stage, defence counsel Mizanul Islam finished his part of cross examination and another defence counsel Manzur Ahmed Ansari came to the dais and continued the cross examination for contradiction.
Defence: Have you said it to Mr. Helal (CIO) that your brother died before 1970?

Witness: No, I do not say.

Defence: Did you tell Mr. Helal (CIO) that you got married at the end of Falgoon (name of a month as per Bengali calendar)?

Witness: No.

Defence: Have you tell Mr. Helal (CIO) that Delwar had no permanent shop, he just has a temporary shop?

Witness: No.

Defence: Did you tell Mr. Helal (CIO) that Delwar was known as Delwar Sikder but now he is heard of as Delwar Saidee?

Witness: I cannot remember that because I was sick at that time.

Defence: Rajakar came to your house after the incident of Tarani Sikder along with 8 others abduction, did you say that to Mr. Helal Uddin (CIO)?

Witness: As I was sick at that time so I am unable to recall it whether I have told that incident to him or not.

Defence: Your wife said to you, “The person who persecuted you to become a Muslim came. You just flee away.” Did you say that to Mr. Helal Uddin (CIO)?

Witness: I cannot remember.

Defence: You were persecuted as a Muslim in a mosque at Parerhaat. Did you say the fact to Mr. Helal (CIO)?

Witness: I cannot remember that.

Defence: After persecution your name was changed from Madhusudan to Ali Ashraaf and Krishana Shaha’s name was changed to Ali Akbar. Did you say that to Mr. Helal Uddin (CIO)?

Witness: I cannot remember.

Defence: Kashem Ali Hawlader alias Kashem Master was in jail for 6 or 7 months against your allegation. You brought the allegation against him that your wife was raped by him- is that true?

Witness: No, it is not true that I brought the allegation of my wife’s rape against him but it is true that he was in jail against my allegation.

Defence: Is that true Mr. Madhu that your wife migrated to India due to personal clash/problems with you?

Witness: No, it is not true

Defence: You and your sister-in-law have been getting ‘Old Age benefit’ from the government since 2010- is it true?

Witness: Yes.

Defence: You and your sister-in-law are living at the same house- is it true?

Witness: Yes.

Defence: When you came to Dhaka?

Witness: 18 or 20 days ago.

Defence: Mr. Madhu, you have come here to give false statement in a false case- is that true?

Witness: No, It is not true.

Defence: At the time you came to Dhaka you were physically well but you have become sick due to the undue pressure (duress) on you for giving false statement in false case- is that true?

Witness: No.
Thus the cross examination was completed. The Tribunal adjourned until next day.

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