Prosecution seeks death penalty for RP Saha killer

The prosecution at International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 on Sunday concluded arguments in a war crime case filed over killing of noted philanthropist Ranada Prasad Saha alias RP Saha during the Liberation War in 1971.
The prosecution pleaded for death penalty of accused Md Mahbubur Rahman, an alleged Razakar Commander of Tangail. The tribunal has set April 21 for defence to present their arguments, Prosecutor Rezia Sultana Chaman told journalists on Sunday.
The ICT-1 on March 28 of 2018, framed three charges of crimes against humanity against 69-year old Mahbub, who according to the charges, carried out horrific crimes during the War in association with some members of his family and others of his locality. Mahbub's father and local Peace Committee chief Wadud Moulana and brother Razakar Md Abdul Mannan were also involved in committing series of crimes by attacking civilians in different areas of Tangail and Narayanganj, prosecution sources said.
At their instigation Pakistani army gunned down 33 Hindus in village Baimhati, ancestral home of RP Saha, at Mirzapur in Tangail on May 7 in 1971.
On the same day, Mahbub along with his associates from the Razakar Bahini and Pakistani army men attacked RP Saha's residence in Sirajdikhan Road area of Khanpur of Naryanganj town.
There, Mahbub and his associates detained five including RP Saha and his son Bhabani Prasad Saha. The Razakars tortured them and took them away to unknown destination.
Roy Bahadur Ranada Prasad Saha earned the fame of a 'Danbir' or "philanthropist" for his charities.
On May 14 of 1971, 50 to 60 armed Razakars including Mahbub launched an attack on villages Mirzapur, Andhara, Sarishadair, Durgapur, Kanthalia, Postakumari under Mirzapur Police Station in Tangail. The Razakars detained 22 Hindus and tortured them. Later, Mahbub brought Pakistani army men, who later killed the detainees mercilessly.
Mahbub, who was arrested in another case, was shown arrested under ICT Act of 1973 on November 7 in 2017. The prosecution submitted the formal charge against the lone accused on January 11in 2018.