Police yesterday arrested a transport worker from the capital’s Sayedabad area in connection with the attack on the prime witness in Bishwajit Das killing case.
The arrestee was identified as Md Razu, 26. He comes from Khanza of Faridpur. The arrest was made after rickshaw puller Ripon Sarker, 28, a witness in Bishwajit Das killin case, filed a case with Sabujbagh police station Thursday night, Rafiqul Islam, officer-in-charge of Sabujbagh police station, said.
Both Razu and Ripon used to be transport workers. Razu was arrested four months back with Yaba. Razu suspects that police arrested him on information from Ripon.
This infuriated Razu leading to the attack on Ripon, suspected OC Rafiqul. Ripon, however, said he came under attack as he testified in Bishwajit killing case, said Rafiqul.
Ripon Sarker was the man who took Bishwajit Das to Sir Salimullah Medical College Hospital on his rickshaw after BCL men stabbed him on December 9, 2012. He was the prime witness to the murder.
The Speedy Trial Tribunal gave death penalty to eight BCL men and life-time imprisonment to 13 others.
Ripon said as he is very often threatened by Bishwajit killers he went to his native village at Majhipara of Sharitapur last year with his wife and son. But his poor financial condition forced him to become a driver assistant this year in Dhaka.
As he goes out he covers himself in blanket to avoid being identified, he said. “Most of the time I sleep inside bus.”
“On Thursday night between 7:30pm and 8pm I boarded a bus bound for Jatrabari from Uttara. Razu along with his accomplices was lurking inside the bus.”
While beating, Razu said it was his punishment for the predicament of 21 accused in the Bishwajit murder case, said Ripon Sarker. At one point Ripon was thrown out of the bus window near Kamlapur foot-over bridge.
“They also took away Tk1820 I earned over the past two days.”
Ripon over his friend’s cell phone pleaded with this correspondent for extending helping hand to save his life.
Masudur Rahman, deputy commissioner (Media) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, said a team of Sabujbagh police had already arrested the prime accused Razu.
“Our officials are investigating the incident and all necessary steps would be taken very shortly,” he added.