Verdict on RP Shaha murder case any day

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 will deliver its verdict any day in a case filed over war crimes, including abduction and murder of philanthropist Ranada Prasad Shaha and his son in 1971, allegedly committed by Mahbubur Rahman, 69.

The three-member tribunal led by Justice Md Shahinur Islam kept the verdict waiting after both prosecution and defence completed their closing arguments.

Mahbubur has been in jail since November 2016, and pleaded not guilty. He is facing three charges.

Prosecutor Rana Dasgupta prayed for capital punishment of the accused, saying that all three charges have been proven against him beyond reasonable doubt.

However, defence counsel Gazi MH Tamim prayed for his acquittal saying that the prosecution failed to prove the charges.

Mahbubur was involved with Razakar Bahini during the war, investigators said. A Jamaat follower, he ran for the chairman post of Mirzapur Union Parishad in Tangail as an independent candidate three times, but was defeated each time.

The prosecution on January 10 last year pressed charges against Mahbubur for allegedly abducting and killing Ranada Prasad, his son Bhabani Prasad and five others.