by Nazrul Islam in Prothom Alo, Dec 10, 2017 at 23:22 hrs
He’s been staying abroad for 12 years, carrying out criminal acts of extortion and intimidating people back in the country over phone from abroad. He even managed to halt the trial process of 16 cases against him by intimidating the plaintiffs and witnesses of the cases from abroad.
This is none other than the top terror Shahadat Hossain. The fugitive criminal was awarded with death penalty in two cases while arrest warrants were issued against him in 13 cases. He has more than 200 general diaries (GDs) under his belt.
Hiding in India for a long time, Shahadat is controlling the capital’s criminal activities and even giving interviews to the media, said police officials.
They added that the government has requested India to arrest Shahadat as Bangladesh handed over a number of Indian criminals to its neighbour.
However, Shahadat’s deportation is yet to be decided, they also said.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) commissioner Md Asaduzzaman Mia told Prothom Alo that they are trying to bring Shahadat back through the Interpol.
If any family feels insecure or becomes victim of threat, the police will provide security measures, he added.
Once vice-president of Bangladesh Chhatra League’s Shah Ali thana unit, Shahadat was a resident of Shinepukur Road in Mirpur’s Shah Ali area.
The hardcore criminal used to be an activist of BCL Mirpur unit from 2001 to 2004. He came to talks in 1998 allegedly after killing a person in Gudaraghat area in 1998. Through this, he entered the underworld and murdered one after another as a professional killer. In 2005, he fled away in India after killing Aftab Uddin, a businessman of Mirpur. Since then, he has been living there.
On 12 August 2005, a group of miscreants killed Md Shahidullah, 45, owner of Prince Group near his residence in Mirpur. A case was filed then accusing Shahadat as prime suspect. The investigation of the case is yet to be completed even after 12 years.
Shahidullah’s family members said Shahadat has been threatening them to withdraw the case.
Kazi Belal Hossain, brother of Shahidullah, told Prothom Alo that the main accused is yet to be arrested. The other accused who were arrested are now out of jail on bail.
Another businessman of Mirpur, Aftabuddin, was killed by Shahadat in 2005. A case was then lodged with the Mirpur police station in this regard. After an investigation, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)-4 submitted a case statement in 2007, accusing a total of 19 people including Shahadat.
Afrozuddin, brother of Aftabuddin and also plaintiff of the case, said that Shahadat has been threatening to withdraw the case by his sidekicks.
In the face of frequent threats, he sought security measures from the deputy commissioner of police (Mirpur zone) last week.
Moreover, the witnesses are also leaving the area, Afrozuddin alleged.
DMP deputy commissioner (Mirpur zone) Masud Ahmed told Prothom Alo that Mirpur police were instructed to provide Afrozuddin’s family security.
In the face of Shahadat’s threats, Russell Hossain, son of slain businessman Farhad Hossain, filed a total of four general diaries (GDs).
A group of extortionists shot Farhad to death on 14 April 2005. Police submitted a charge sheet accusing Shahadat and his accomplices in the murder case.
Russell told Prothom Alo that he received a death threat from Shahadat warning him to give no testimony in court.
A group of terrorists shot another Mirpur businessman Ripon Chowdhury to death on 18 June, 2006. Widow of Ripon told Prothom Alo that she has been receiving death threats from Shahadat for carrying the case procedures. Being intimidated, she no longer wants to take care of the case.
When contacted, Mirpur police station officer-in-charge Md Nazrul Islam told Prothom Alo top terror Shahadat is now out of the country. “But, he masterminded several killings. We don’t see that much activities of his cohorts now. The plaintiff of a case applied to us seeking his security and we’ve taken necessary measures accordingly.”
Allegations are rife that Shahadat threatened the plaintiffs and witnesses of nine murder cases. Prominent among them are BNP leader and ward commissioner Shawkat Ali murder case, satellite TV connection provider Shamsul Haque murder, transport worker Parvez killing and Mirpur businessman Abdur Rahman killing.
When approached, Dhaka University law department professor and former chairman of Bangladesh Human Rights Commission Mizanur Rahman said rights activists have long been demanding for the safety and security of the plaintiffs and witnesses.
“The state must ensure security for those who will testify in any case,” he added.http://en.prothom-alo.com/bangladesh/news/136065/Top-terror-Shahadat’s-intimidation-halts-16-cases
Comments are closed.