Tribunal rebukes lawyer Amir Hossain for 'talking too much'

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Monday rebuked state-appointed defence counsel Md Amir Hossain, saying, “You talk too much. Some of your remarks are embarrassing for the court.”

The observation came from the two-member bench headed by Justice Md Shofiul Alam Mahmood during the third day of witness examination in a case over crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising, including the shooting deaths of two people — among them Amir Hossain, who was hanging from a rooftop ledge in Rampura.

The hearing featured the deposition of the third prosecution witness, Tabassum Akter Niha, wife of martyr Md Nadeem Mizan.

After the cross-examination by defence lawyer Sarwar Jahan (for accused ASI Chanchal Chandra Sarkar), state defence counsel Amir Hossain asked Niha, “Did you see who shot your husband?”

The prosecution objected, noting the same question had been asked earlier and overruled by the court. The tribunal then remarked, “What benefit do you expect from this? Her husband’s death is already part of the evidence, and your clients’ names haven’t even been mentioned.”

Amir Hossain replied, “My Lord, the calculation of benefit is long; this question may help my clients.” He continued arguing, prompting the court to say, “You talk too much and often make remarks that embarrass the court. You stretch one point into ten. What benefit will your questions bring? She is a victim; her testimony alone will not acquit your clients.”