ICT finalises findings on Razakar Mahbub over murder of RP Saha in 1971

The International Crimes Tribunal or ICT has finalised findings on war crime suspect Mahbubur Rahman, who has been charged with killing philanthropist Ranada Prasad Saha, his son and five others during the 1971 Liberation War.

Mahbubur, 69, and his brother Abdul Mannan joined the Razakar, the vigilante militia group that collaborated with Pakistanis, in Tangail during the war.

Abdul Hannan Khan and Sanaul Huq, the chief coordinator and senior coordinator of the ICT, respectively, presented summary of the report, which is the 54th among the reports made so far on 1971 war crimes, at the ICT’s Dhanmondi office on Thursday.

Mahbubur Rahman and 20-25 men from the Pakistani occupation forces raided the house of Ranada Prasad on May 7, 1971, Khan told reporters.

“They picked up seven people including Ranada Prasad, his son Bhabani Prasad Saha, close friend Goura Gopal Saha, Rakhal Matlab and Ranada Prasad’s guard, killed them and dumped their bodies into Shitalakhhya River.

“The bodies were never found.”

Mahbubur was a supporter of the Jamaat-e-Islami. He had contested the union council elections as an independent candidate thrice but lost every time, he said.

The investigation in the case started in April Last year and Mahbubur was arrested later in November. He is currently lodged at the Dhaka Central Jail in Kashimpur pending trial.

Senior Coordinator Sanaul said Mahbubur carried out crimes in areas around Bharateswari Homes, Kumudini Welfare Trust in Narayanganj’s Khanpur and Tangail Circuit House in 1971.

Md Ataur Rahman, who investigated the case for more than a year, said evidence of Mahbubur’s involvement in crimes like murder, genocide, arson and abduction had been found.  

Sixty people have testified during investigation based on which a 100-page document has been prepared. The final report contains four volumes with 380 pages which will soon be handed to the prosecution, Ataur said.

In appreciation of his humanitarian work, the British government had conferred on Saha the title of Rai Bahadur. In 1978, he was posthumously awarded the Swadhinota Padak or Independence Award, the highest civilian award, by the Bangladesh government in recognition of his social work.

Ranada Prasad, popularly known as RP Saha, was born in Mirzapur Upazila of Tangail. He started jute business while staying at Sirajdikhan in Narayanganj’s Khanpur.

Razakars and Pakistani occupation forces had abducted him and others from his Sirajdikhan residence.