Colleague brings corruption allegations against ex-chief prosecutor Tajul

Tribunal prosecutor BM Sultan Mahmud has accused outgoing chief prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam of corruption and irregularities.

He alleged that the syndicate led by Tajul Islam used the 'Chief Prosecutor's Chair' as a tool to earn money.

On Monday, a Facebook ID named Kazi Mostafizur Rahman Ahad posted a status titled 'Tribunal Settlement Business and Approver Drama: Why is Tajul Islam Having to Move?'. Prosecutor Sultan Mahmud made two comments there. In those two comments, he accused Tajul Islam and Prosecutor Gazi Monwar Hussain Tamim of corruption.

Prosecutor Sultan Mahmud has also raised questions about making former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun and former Sub-Inspector (SI) of Ashulia Police Station Sheikh Abzalul Haque 'approvers' (King's evidence). He has alleged that a police officer was exempted from the case of crimes against humanity committed in the murder of Shaheed Abu Sayeed in Rangpur and that a police officer was made a witness instead of an accused for 'ordering to open fire' in the Chankharpul area.

Prosecutor BM Sultan Mahmud made two comments on Kazi Mostafizur Rahman Ahad's post. He also answered two questions.

In a comment, Prosecutor Sultan Mahmud wrote that in late November last year, the wife of SI Abzalul Haque, an accused in the Ashulia body burning case, entered Prosecutor Tamim's room with a heavy bag in the evening. After seeing the matter, he went to Tajul Islam's room and informed him. But Tajul Islam did not take any action in the incident and instead scolded them.

Sultan Mahmud also wrote that Tamim then confessed to everyone about the visit of SI Afzal's wife. Later, Afzal was made a witness. He was acquitted in the trial.

The verdict in the case of crimes against humanity committed in the case of burning the bodies of six people in Ashulia, Savar during the July uprising was delivered on February 5. The verdict sentenced six people to death, seven to life imprisonment, and two to seven years in prison. In addition, the verdict pardoned former Sub-Inspector (SI) of Ashulia Police Station, Sheikh Abjalul Haque, who was the 'approver' (royal witness) in this case.

Prosecutor Sultan Mahmud further wrote, 'Despite the release of such a video of SI Ashraful giving orders to shoot in the Chankharpul case, he was not made an accused but a witness. I have that video.'

There, Sultan Mahmud asked, 'Why was AC Imran acquitted in the case of Abu Sayeed of Rangpur? Some witnesses came to the court and mentioned this Imran's name. Then why was former IG Abdullah Al-Mamun made an approver?'

Tribunal-1 sentenced ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan to death in a case for crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising. In the November 17 verdict of last year, another accused in the case, former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun (approver), was sentenced to five years in prison.

In another comment, prosecutor Sultan Mahmud wrote, 'Not only IG Mamun, but Afzal has also been made approver in the Ashulia body burning case in exchange for money. A syndicate of three to four people has been involved in this cycle from the beginning.'

He alleged, writing, 'This Tajul syndicate has made the chair of the Chief Prosecutor a tool to earn money.'

When Tajul was asked about the allegations made by Sultan Mahmud, he said, 'Personally, we are not taking into account who is making what allegations. We have no say in who is saying what out of personal anger.'