Two prosecution witnesses testified yesterday in the Jahangirnagar University student Zubair Ahmed murder case, in which 13 Bangladesh Chhatra League activists are accused for their direct involvement in the incident.
Dhaka’s Speedy Trial Tribunal 4 Judge ABM Nizamul Haque recorded their depositions and fixed June 8 for further witnesses. The judge did not hear the other witness, Kamrul Hasan, as he was feeling ill.
Enam Medical College Hospital physician Dr Sohel Rana, the 20th witness, said the victim had been brought to the hospital in Savar by two persons on January 8, 2012. At that time he was working in the emergency department.
“One of them provided me with a telephone number and requested that I talk to a friend of the victim. I gave him first aid and transferred him to the ICU. Later the victim was sent to United Hospital for proper treatment,” Rana said.
So far, the court has recorded depositions of 21 out of 37 witnesses in the sensational case.
Earlier, several prosecution witnesses did not appear at the court on time, fearing attacks by the accused – nine of whom are now out on bail while the others are absconding.
SM Rafiqul Islam, public prosecutor of the tribunal, said four of the accused fled the courtroom in front of lawyers and police soon after their bails had been cancelled. He said those accused were frequently threatening the witnesses with dire consequences.
Zubair Ahmed, 23, an final year honours student of the English department was severely beaten and hacked on the campus on January 8 by over 40 Chhatra League activists. He died at United Hospital the following day. A former Chhatra League activist, Zubair was reportedly attacked by his rivals in the Chhatra League.
Following an investigation, the university authorities found the 13 accused responsible for the killing and expelled them for different terms.