Man gets death for murder of RP Saha, six others during Liberation War

The war crimes tribunal has handed the death penalty to Mahbubur Rahman for the murder of Tangail philanthropist Ranada Prasad Saha, his son and 58 others during the Liberation War.

A three-member bench of the International Crimes Tribunal led by Justice Md Shahinur Islam delivered the verdict in the presence of the accused on Thursday.

The 70-year-old Mahbub is the son Abdul Wadud, the president of Mirzapur Peace Committee, a unit formed to collaborate with the Pakistani forces during the war.

Mahbubur and his brother Abdul Mannan were members of the Razakar force. According to the case, he committed a number of crimes against humanity at the time, based on which he was charged with genocide, abduction, and torture.

The court in its 235-page judgment concluded that the prosecution had proved the three charges brought against him beyond any doubt and imposed the maximum penalty for each count.

Saha's daughter-in-law Srimati Saha, his grandson Rajiv Prasad Saha and other representatives of Kumudini Welfare Trust were present in court when the verdict was announced.

Expressing his satisfaction with the verdict, Rajiv said, "It was an intolerable burden for our family and today's verdict has made us free from a long-lasting trauma."

On the other hand, defence lawyer Gazi MH Tamim has expressed his dissatisfaction and said he will challenge the verdict. 

The law allows the convict a month to appeal a verdict at the Supreme Court. 

Of the 96 accused in 38 cases heard by the International Crimes Tribunal, six have died during trials. At least 88 accused have been penalised with 61 getting the capital punishment.