Attacks on Hindus: Suspect Ashutosh gives statement in court over Facebook post

A court in Brahmanbaria has recorded the statement of Ashutosh Das, a suspect in the case over the Facebook post that sparked unrest and provoked attacks on the Hindus in Brahmanbarhia, police have said.

He gave the statement under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure to the court of Brahmanbarhia's Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Md Shafiqul Islam on Wednesday, said DB OC Mafiz Uddin Bhuyian.

The DB officer, however, did not reveal any detail about what Ashutosh said in the statement.

Earlier, Ashutosh was questioned at Brahmanbarhia Detective Branch office throughout the day on Wednesday after he surrendered to the police Tuesday evening, the official said.

The Facebook post, purportedly insulting Islam, generated angry reactions among the zealots who then vanadalised several hundred houses and temples in a series of attacks at Nasirnagar in Brahamanbaria in October last year.

DB official Mafiz said Ashutosh will be named 'witness' in the case against Rasraj Das, accused in the ICT Act case over the Facebook post.

He said Ashutosh's statement would play a significant role in the investigation.

Ashutosh's father has been given his custody after the recording of his statement, the DB OC added.

According to police, Jahangir Alam, from whose cyber cafe the image 'insulting Islam' was posted through Rsraj's account, had claimed Ashutosh knew the password of the account.

Ashutosh then fled to India and later brought back with the help of his family, DB OC Mafiz said.

After the image was uploaded on Facebook, the Hindus in Brahmanbarhia'sNasirnagar came under attack on Oct 30 last year. Several other attacks in other parts of the country also took place immediately after the Nasirnagar attacks, which have drawn criticisms and protests from across the country.

Rasraj and Jahangir are still in jail in the case over the Facebook post.