Witness 3: Brigadier General (retd) Abdullahil Amaan Azmi

XXX

2 Feb: Continuing Evidence given by Brigadier General (retd) Abdullahil Amaan Azmi

On 21 September 2016, exactly one month after my abduction, at approximately 11:50 p.m. an officer informed me, “You were brought here due to concerns over a potential untoward incident. That concern has now been alleviated. A decision has been made to release you.”I then asked him, “Should I count the hours or the days until my release?”In response, he said, “You are a General. You surely understand that any decision regarding you must come from the highest level of the State. I am not in a position to say anything further on this matter.”

Approximately one month later, on 19 October 2016, they interrogated me for the first time. Subsequently, on 22 October and again on 7 December, I was interrogated two more times. During these interrogations, they questioned me about various conversations I had had with different officers, my connections, and other personal associations. However, their primary focus was on whether I had any affiliation with Jamaat-e-Islami and why I wrote so extensively on Facebook against India.Regarding Jamaat-e-Islami, I responded,“You abducted me seven years and two months after I was dismissed from the Army. During all these years, your intelligence agencies followed me closely. Do you have a single report indicating even the slightest link between me and Jamaat-e-Islami?” I further stated, “Unlike other political parties, leadership in Jamaat-e-Islami is not inherited. You conduct extensive research on political parties—show me one example where any leader within Jamaat-e-Islami has assumed leadership through inheritance.”

Despite this, they continued pressuring me to admit that I was going to become the Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami. In response, I told them, “My father may have been the founding Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami, but I have no association with the party. The suggestion that I was to become its Ameer is utterly absurd.”

After that, they expressed extreme displeasure over my writings against India and demanded an explanation. I replied, “If writing against India is a punishable offence under the law, then why have you kept me here in unlawful detention instead of filing a case under the relevant legal provisions and producing me before a court?” I further stated, “My 30 years of service in the Army taught me that India is our principal adversary. If that is considered a crime, then every Chief of Army Staff and all the Generals who taught me this over those 30 years are equally guilty. Moreover, since the independence of Bangladesh, I have never seen India behave in a friendly manner towards us.”At this point, they said, “We are conducting an investigation about you. During the investigation, you must remain here.”In response, I said, “What exactly are you investigating? Investigations are conducted after an untoward incident has occurred. You have not seen any such incident occur. So what are you investigating?”They replied, “We are investigating whether you are secretly involved in anything.”I responded, “Such an investigation will never end—not even by Doomsday.”Hearing this, they became agitated with me. I then asked, “Are you planning to keep me detained here until you kill me?”

In anger, they replied, “If we intended to kill you, we would have taken you to some marshland long ago and shot you.”

After 7 December 2016, they did not interrogate me again for the remaining 7 years and 8 months until my release. During the first two and a half years, I submitted numerous applications to them on various matters. These included requests to inform my family, to at least convey to my mother and wife that I was alive, to update me on the progress of the investigation, and—since there was no one to look after my 83-year-old ailing widowed mother—a request to place me under house arrest while the investigation continued.

They did not respond to any of these requests.

I gradually sank into severe depression. When I asked the doctor for antidepressant medication, he told me, “You are already taking several medicines, including those for blood pressure. If I prescribe antidepressants now, it will be difficult for you to return to a normal life later.”

In this condition, during July 2019, I began having disturbing dreams about my mother throughout the entire month. From that time, my depression deepened even further. I became so severely depressed that for the next 1 year and 18 days I did not bathe, and I had almost stopped eating altogether.After my release, I came to know that my mother had passed away on 28 June 2019.

My mother had six sons. Five of them resided in the United Kingdom. I was the only one who cared for her in her illness. I fed her with my own hands, administered her medicines, massaged her limbs, checked her blood pressure, and took her to the hospital every day for therapy. I was the sole support of my mother—the person she relied upon completely.

Yet, I was forcibly taken away from this helpless, elderly woman, leaving her abandoned in her final days. She died without a single son by her side. The Awami League government did not permit my five brothers, who were living abroad, to return to Bangladesh. They were denied the opportunity to see our mother’s face one last time, to stand beside her in her final moments, or to lay her to rest with their own hands. This is the greatest anguish of my life.It is also to be noted that when my father passed away on 20 October 2014 while in prison, my five brothers abroad were similarly prevented from returning home.

On 23 May 2021, an officer came to me and asked me to sign an undertaking. When I inquired about the nature of this undertaking, I was told that I must declare that I would refrain from politics, that I would not live in Bangladesh, and that I would permanently relocate abroad with my family. I refused to comply. At that time, one of the officers told me, “You are being held as a result of a conspiracy by foreign powers.” It should be noted that during my detention, several individuals informed me that officials from the Indian High Commission frequently visited the DGFI headquarters on a regular basis.

The greatest suffering I endured during my detention was the extreme mistreatment by lower-ranking staff. Many of them spoke to me in a threatening manner, shouted at me, issued orders in a commanding tone, and glared at me aggressively.

On 30 May 2021, when I went to perform the Asr prayer ablution, they searched my room and seized nearly 65 manuscripts of books I had written, along with approximately 45 Qur’an and Hadith texts that had been provided to me by them. Later, upon my request, some of the books were returned; however, my manuscripts were not returned.

After my release, I requested the then Director General, Major General (currently Lieutenant General) Foyez, to facilitate the return of my manuscripts. However, he informed me that there is no record of their existence.

had no opportunity to know anything about the country’s politics or any other circumstances. I was also completely cut off from any information regarding my mother, my wife, and my children. In utter despair, I spent month after month, year after year, counting the moments until death.

In this state, on 5 August 2024, at around 10 p.m. I was told that I was being taken to a hospital. They tied my hands, covered my eyes, placed a mask over my face, and instead of taking me to a hospital, I was brought to another cell inside a newly constructed building within the DGFI complex. From there, at around 3 a.m. I was placed in a microbus and transported to another detention facility, arriving at dawn—around 6 a.m. on 6 August. I later learned that this was the DGFI detention center located in the Rajendrapur Cantonment.

From that night at 10 p.m. until the following dawn, I was gripped by the fear of death. I genuinely believed that under the pretext of taking me to a hospital, I was being taken for a crossfire execution.

On 6 August 2024, around noon, I was told that I might be released that night at approximately 3 a.m. I was still in terror, fearing a crossfire execution. At around 9 p.m., I was informed that, due to special reasons, my release would not take place that night.

On 7 August 2024, around noon, I was told that I might be released that night at approximately 9 p.m. After hearing promises of release for two consecutive days that were not fulfilled, I spent each night in fear for my life.

At around 9 p.m., they tied my hands, covered my face with a mask, and took me into a jeep. At approximately 11:50 p.m., they dropped me off at a place called Elenga on the Dhaka–Uttarbanga Road and left. Before leaving, they gave me bus fare .

From there, I ran toward the bus stand and boarded a Dhaka‑bound bus. Once on the bus, I requested a phone from another passenger and called my wife and my cousin, asking them to receive me from the Technical intersection. When I got off the bus, I found all of them waiting there. From the Technical intersection, they took me to a private hospital. After undergoing several medical examinations and tests, I returned home with my family members on the morning of 8 August. It was then that I learned of my mother’s death.

Due to nearly three days of almost no food, sleeplessness, and constant fear for my life, I lost consciousness on 9 August 2024. On that day, I was admitted to a hospital. After nearly three months of treatment, I was discharged and returned home.

While I was in the hospital, around the end of August, the Chief of Army Staff, General Waker, visited me. It is noteworthy that in 1989, he had been my student at the School of Infantry Tactics. After exchanging pleasantries, he asked me, “Sir, were you abducted by DGFI?”

In response, I said, “Why are you asking me? You are the Chief of Army Staff. I am asking you whether DGFI abducted me.” He replied, “Sir, I do not know. I will form an urgent investigation committee to determine the truth, and if DGFI is responsible, I will take punitive action against them.”Around that time, the then Director General of DGFI, Major General (now Lieutenant General) Foyez, also visited me.

At the end of August, Lieutenant General Shaheen, Major General Anwar, and three other Brigadier Generals visited me in the hospital. Lieutenant General Shaheen told me, “Sir, the Chief of Army Staff has tasked a five-member investigation committee, of which we are a part, with uncovering the circumstances of your abduction. We have come to record your statement.”

On that day, they recorded my statement for nearly four hours. I provided them with detailed descriptions of my cell, the toilets I used, the medical room, and the surrounding rooms and cells. I also gave them sketches of these areas.

On the night of 2 September, the Chief of Army Staff called me and invited me to have lunch at his office the following day. When I went to his office the next day, in the presence of Lieutenant General Shaheen, he told me, “Sir, we have confirmed that DGFI abducted you and kept you in detention. I will take punitive action against those responsible.”

A few days later, through an official government gazette notification, I learned that among the five Directors General of DGFI who served during my eight years of captivity, the first two—Lieutenant General Akbar and Major General Saiful Abedin—had already retired. The remaining three—Lieutenant General Saiful Alam, Major General Ahmmad Tabrez Shams, and Major General (later Lieutenant General) Shaheen—were compulsorily retired in accordance with the recommendations of the Court of Inquiry headed by Lieutenant General Shaheen.

In December 2024, I filed a complaint before the ICT regarding my abduction and eight-year unlawful detention by DGFI. Prior to this, I had been summoned by the Commission on Enforced Disappearances, where my statement was recorded.Towards the end of September, four of the five Directors of the Counter Terrorism and Intelligence Bureau (CTIB) who had served during my captivity—Major General Kabir, Major General Sarwar, Brigadier General Mahbub, and Brigadier General Tanvir Majhab Siddique—visited me at my home. All of them requested my assistance and said, “Sir, we knew you were being held inside. You know that, at the state level, we were lower-ranking officers. There was nothing we could do. We requested the DGs several times to release you, but we were unsuccessful. When we were summoned by the Commission on Enforced Disappearances and the Tribunal, we denied knowing anything out of fear. If possible, please help us. If we are summoned again, we will tell the truth.”

Even after the warrant was issued on 8 October 2025, I remained in contact with most of the Directors. I told them clearly, ‘You are already too late. Whatever you have told me, you must state the same truth before the court. That will be the best course of action for you.’

Subsequently, I came to know that Major General Kabir fled after the incident.

During my period of detention, no DG or Director of the DGFI ever met me. A few of the personnel who were assigned to duty outside my room had, at times, mentioned the names of some of the DGs. Among them, Major General Sarwar, Brigadier General Mahbub, and Brigadier General Tanvir were present before the Commission. It is to be noted that, except for the first and the last among the five DGs, all the others were my former students.”

After my release, I visited the JIC—commonly known as Ayna Ghar—on two occasions. The first visit was on 12 February 2025 with the Honorable Adviser, and the second visit was on 22 March 2025 in the presence of the Chief Prosecutor and the Investigating Officer. On both occasions, I identified various cells, toilets, and interrogation rooms of the detention facility, and the still photographs of these locations were published in the media. During the visits, I observed that many pieces of evidence had already been destroyed.

I humbly seek justice from this Honorable Tribunal. I demand justice for my abduction, enforced disappearance, and eight years of unlawful detention.

This is my statement.

April 13

Cross-examination on behalf of the present accused Brigadier General Mahbubur Rahman Siddiqui, dated 13/04/2026.

The duration of my PNG [Persona Non Grata] was likely from September/October 2009 to August 2024. I have come to the Tribunal today to testify upon receiving an oral notice. I was dismissed from service on June 24, 2009. Since then, until 2024, I have not received any benefits or facilities from the Bangladesh Army. I do not recall serving alongside Brigadier General Mahbubur Rahman Siddiqui. However, I have heard that he is a good person. Following my dismissal from service in 2009, I filed a writ petition in the High Court Division against the dismissal order, the number of which I do not remember.

In that case, although a Rule was issued by the Division Bench, the Rule hearing was subsequently conducted by a Single Bench and the Writ Petition was dismissed.

The Deputy Military Secretary to the Army Chief had signed the order of my dismissal from service.

I cannot recall who signed the order that cancelled my dismissal and granted me retirement. I have not submitted any application to the interim government for the cancellation of my dismissal order.

After my release, I did not submit any application, either orally or in writing, for an investigation into my abduction and enforced disappearance.

Yes, I gave a statement to the Court of Inquiry in late August 2024.

I do not know against whom action has been taken by the Court of Inquiry. I have not received any compensation from the Bangladesh Army for my abduction or enforced disappearance.

It is not true that I have received compensation from the Bangladesh Army for my abduction or enforced disappearance.

The investigating officer recorded my statement at my residence on December ’24/January ’25.

I provided a description of the room where I was held captive after my abduction to the Court of Inquiry. The dimensions of that room were 17 feet by 17 feet. When I became seriously ill on June 6, 2023, an AC was installed in that room on June 8, 2023, based on a doctor’s recommendation. Prior to that, I remained in a room without an AC for nearly 7 years. They used to say, “We have to keep you alive.”

Regarding the Court of Inquiry, I learned through the notification of the Court of Inquiry that three officers were in leadership. I did not provide that notification to the investigating officer.

During my service life, I commanded two brigades: one was the 309 Infantry Brigade at Ghatail Cantonment, and the other was the 16 Infantry Brigade at Bir Uttam Shaheed Mahbub Senanibas in the Rangpur region. I do not know if the post of DG DGFI falls under a command appointment. I am also unaware whether, excluding DG DGFI, it is considered a staff appointment or an instructional appointment.

The building from which I was abducted was an eight-story building. I used to live on the eighth floor. I am not the owner of the entire building. I was abducted from a vacant flat on the sixth floor.

The ground floor is not visible from the room where I was on the sixth floor; however, everything below is visible from the veranda.

PM: I do not know if the investigating officer seized any evidence of destruction of evidence in my presence. I do not remember if any other evidence was seized in my presence. I did not receive any formal letter before the JIC [Joint Interrogation Cell] visit with the Chief Advisor on February 12, 2025. I did not receive any formal letter from the Chief Prosecutor’s side before the JIC visit with the Chief Prosecutor on March 22, 2025. I also did not receive any letter from the investigating officer before those dates.

I do not know all the service records of Brigadier General Mahbubur Rahman Siddiqui.

I served as an instructor while holding the ranks of Major, Lieutenant Colonel, and Colonel. In the rank of Major, I was in the tactics wing of the School of Infantry and Tactics, and in the ranks of Lieutenant Colonel and Colonel, I was an instructor at the Defense Services Command and Staff College. I do not remember if Brigadier General Mahbubur Rahman Siddiqui was my student during the time I was an instructor.

I served as GSO-3-(Operations) in the 69th Infantry Brigade in Bandarban with the rank of Captain. In the rank of Major, I was GSO-2 in the Research and Development (R&D) wing of the School of Infantry and Tactics, and I also served as Deputy Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster General (DAAQMG) in the 77th Infantry Brigade in Mymensingh.

In 1992, I visited the DGFI office twice while I was in service. I was summoned twice by the then DG of DGFI, Major General (later Lieutenant General and now retired) Nasim, during my father’s detention in a citizenship case. When I went there in 1992, there were no mobile phones. When I went there in 2025, I had to deposit my mobile phone before entering.

I do not know if DGFI is a highly compartmentalized organization.

During my detention, I did not meet any officer of the Bangladesh Army ranging from the rank of Major to Lieutenant General.

At the time of my detention, I was alone on the sixth floor. During my arrest, five to six unknown individuals in plain clothes entered that room. Among them was Lieutenant Colonel Mokhsurul Haque, whom I knew. During the abduction, they handcuffed me, blindfolded me, took me downstairs, put me in a car, and made me wear a hood (jamtupi). I do not remember if the hood reached my neck. I was handcuffed and blindfolded by one of those five to six unknown individuals. I could not see who put on the hood because I was already blindfolded.

I did not see anyone while descending from the sixth floor or getting into the car because my eyes were covered. However, Lieutenant Colonel Mokhsurul Haque shouted and behaved rudely with me in the lift. I cannot say which cars the mentioned five to six people arrived in.

It is not true that, I have lied about 50-60 plainclothes men arriving at approximately 9:30 PM on August 22, 2016.

None of those five to six people physically assaulted me, but they pressured me to extend my hands for handcuffing. If I hadn’t, they would have physically assaulted me. No one assaulted me in the car either. No one physically assaulted me during my detention. I was interrogated a total of three times during my detention. There was AC in the interrogation room, though I cannot say how many units there were.

During the detention period, the distance to the toilet I usually used from the 21ft by 17ft room was approximately 40 to 45 steps. However, because I was blindfolded, my steps were small. During the repair of this toilet, I used two other toilets for two or three days. One of them was about 20 steps away, and the other was about 40 steps away.

The manuscripts of 65 books were kept in the drawer of the table I used. 40 books were piled on one side of the table. There were three drawers in that table. The table’s length was approximately 4 feet and the width was approximately 2 feet. After approximately 7 years, I was given a small chest-drawer.

It is not true that, I gave false testimony by stating a chest-drawer was provided while concealing that there was an almirah and a wardrobe in my room.

21 April XXX

27 April

After my abduction, I heard after my release that my mother and wife went to Ramna Police Station three times to file a GD (General Diary). My mother and wife went three times.

However, the GD was not accepted, and when they went to the police station for the third time, they were told, “If you come again, you too will be detained.” I do not know if the said GD still exists on the website golamazam.net, which is for the promotion of my father’s work and thoughts.

At the time of my abduction, there were approximately seven to eight microbuses. The interim government issued a notification on February 5, 2026, promoting me to the ranks of Major General and Lieutenant General.

However, since no order regarding this promotion has been issued from the Army, I have used the rank of “Brigadier General (Retired)” in my deposition. I have written the book titled “Bibhisikhamoy Aynaghar” (The Horrific Mirror House).

I met Sheikh Hasina a few times in 1983. During Ershad’s military rule, I stayed in a house on Hare Road with my company and performed Martial Law duties. At that time, Sheikh Hasina, Matia Chowdhury, and Sahara Khatun were detained and kept under my charge in that house for a few days.

It is not true that I did not file any complaint in this Tribunal. The witness later said, “I have filed a written complaint with the Chief Prosecutor.”

At the time of my abduction, there was no CCTV at my house, but the entire area of my neighborhood was covered by CCTV. My house is located at Kazi Office Lane in Moghbazar. The said lane extends east-west.

I do not know if the investigating officer searched the CCTV of my neighborhood after my release. I heard after my release that at the time of my abduction, they broke all the CCTVs in my area and took away the recorders.

I cannot say exactly how many houses were in that lane. The investigating officer never went to the sixth floor of my house in my presence.

Yes, my house is long in the north-south direction. There are two balconies on the north and south sides.

I do not remember how many car parking spaces are or were at my house. The gate of my house is slightly inside from the boundary wall.

After my release, I did not submit any evidence to the investigating officer of meeting Brigadier General Mahbubur Rahman Siddiki.

It took approximately 10 minutes from the time of meeting the abductors until they picked me up in the microbus.

It is not true that I spoke falsely regarding not submitting any evidence of meeting Brigadier General Mahbubur Rahman Siddiki after my release to the investigating officer.

It is not true that the Bangladesh Army gave me 4 crore Taka as compensation after my release. Upon my application, 4 crore Taka was given to me by the Army after my release for house rent. It is not true that the said 4 crore Taka was given to me as compensation for the period of detention upon the recommendation of a Court of Inquiry.

I do not remember whether I told the investigating officer about AKM Aminul Islam Huq, the then Detachment Commander of DGFI Dhaka, and Sergeant TG Hillary at the time of my abduction on August 22, 2016.

The “Station Officers Mess B” building is not a single-story building. However, the lounge and dining are single-story. Other parts of the building are four stories. I do not know if there is currently any tennis ground adjacent to this mess. It was not there during my stay; there was only “Mess B” to the north.

I do not know if there is any building named “Station Officers Mess B.” There are some trees to the north of the “Station Officers Mess B” complex.

I came to know that I was kept in the Rajendrapur DGFI complex from the morning of August 6, 2024, until 9:00 AM on August 7, 2024.

It is not true that I was not in any detention center designated as DGFI Headquarters.

It is not true that I was in some other detention center. It is not true that no part of “Station Officers Mess B” can be seen from the ground level of DGFI Headquarters. I went directly to Aynaghar with the investigating officer; I did not go anywhere else.

There are three types of powers in an Army Command Appointment, namely: the power to punish subordinates, internal postings, and the power to recommend promotions. Apart from Command Appointments, some Staff Appointments also hold these powers.

It is not true that I spoke falsely regarding some Staff Appointments having these powers in addition to Command Appointments. In the deposition, I did not provide any documents or evidence regarding the torture of the victims to the investigating officer. It is not true that I spoke falsely regarding their torture.

It is not true that the things I said against Brigadier General Mahbubur Rahman Siddiki in the deposition are also false.

I do not know if the JIC (Joint Interrogation Cell) is a valid institution established by government law. However, it is a part of the DGFI.

It is not true that I spoke falsely despite knowing that JIC is a valid institution established by government law. (Continuing)

Defence: When you were dropped off at Elenga, did you recognize the place?
Witness: When I was dropped off at Elenga, I could not recognize the place before the blindfold and the black hood (‘জম টুপি’) were removed.

Defence: What were your eyes bound with?
Witness: My eyes were bound with a black cloth, likely made of cotton.

Defence: What was the color of the hood placed on your head?
Witness: The hood was black.

Defence: You have made a false statement to the effect that “They took me down via elevator, put me in a microbus, placed a hood over my head and face, and then they departed taking me shortly after. Notably, when they placed a hood on me, the blindfold was slightly lowered down.”
Witness: It is not true that I have made a false statement to the effect that They took me down via elevator, put me in a microbus, placed a hood over my head and face, and then they departed taking me shortly after. Notably, when they placed a hood on me, the blindfold was slightly lowered down.”
Witness: It is not true that I have made a statement to that effect.

Defence: You have made a false statement to the effect that “I could see dim light, so I could understand which route I was being taken through. They had takenme via Mogbazar flyover, under Mohakhali bridge, the road east of the airport, entering the south gate of RAB-1 and exiting through the north gate, passing in front of the RAB headquarters, to the east of the airport in front of the Internal Terminal, and entering the Cantonment. Then they entered the DGFI-1 complex in Kochukhet.”
Witness: It is not true that I have made a false statement to that effect.

Defence: What is the name of the transport service you used to come to Dhaka from Elenga?
Witness: I cannot state the name of the transport bus I used to travel from Elenga to Dhaka.

Defence: Did you receive a ticket for the bus journey?
Witness: I paid the fare from Elenga to Dhaka. But no ticket was issued.

Defence: Is the mobile number of the passenger from whom you borrowed a phone saved with your wife or your cousin?
Witness: I do not know if the mobile number of the passenger from whom I borrowed the phone is saved with my wife or my cousin.

Defence: Did you provide that passenger’s phone number to the IO (Investigating Officer)?
Witness: I did not give that passenger’s phone number to the IO.

Defence: What is your cousin’s name and address?
Witness: My cousin’s name is Saleh Abdullah. His address is 120 Kazi Office Lane, Boro Moghbazar, Dhaka.

Defence: You never traveled from Elenga to Dhaka by bus, and that you never used a passenger’s phone to call your wife and cousin?
Witness: It is not true that I didn’t come to Dhaka from Elenga by bus, or that I didn’t call my wife and cousin using a passenger’s phone.

Defence: How many people did you see in the vehicle after your blindfold and hood were removed?
Witness: After my hood and blindfold were removed, I saw a total of four people in the car. They were dressed in civilian clothes.

Defence: Did the Investigating Officer (IO) arrange an identification parade for you to point out those individuals?
Witness: The IO did not conduct any identification parade to identify those four individuals because I could not see them properly in the dark.

Defence: Where did your relatives take you after your release?
Witness: After my release, my relatives took me to Ibn Sina Hospital at Dhanmondi 10/A.

Defence: Are you aware that there is an Ibn Sina Medical College and Hospital in Kallyanpur?
Witness: I am aware that there is an Ibn Sina Medical College and Hospital in Kallyanpur.

Defence: Did you provide your medical records to the IO?
Witness: I have not provided any documents or reports regarding my treatment at that hospital to the IO.

Defence: Suggestion: You never went to Ibn Sina Hospital on August 8, 2024, nor did you receive any treatment.
Witness: It is not true that I didn’t go to Ibn Sina Hospital or receive treatment there on August 8, 2024.

Defence: On what date were you questioned by the Commission on Enforced Disappearances?
Witness: I cannot recall the exact date I was interrogated by the Disappearance Commission. But it was likely in the first half of September 2024.

Defence: When was your book, “Bibhishikhamoy Aynaghor: Fascibader Gopon Karagar, 2908 Din” (বিভীষিকাময় আয়নাঘর, ফ্যাসিবাদের গোপন কারাগারে ২৯০৮ দিন) first published?
Witness: My written book was first published on August 7, 2025.

Defence: On what date did the Investigating Officer record your statement for this case?
Witness: I do not remember the specific date the Investigating Officer interrogated me.

Defence: Did you write in your book that ‘On August 22, 2016, at around 9:30 PM, approximately 50 to 60 men in plain clothes arrived at your Boro Moghbazar residence with several microbuses’?
Witness: I do not recall whether I wrote in my book ‘On August 22, 2016, at around 9:30 PM, approximately 50 to 60 men in plain clothes arrived at your Boro Moghbazar residence with several microbuses.’

Defence: You have made a false statement to the effect that, “Until 5 August 2025, I was kept in that very cell. However, the day after my abduction, when I lost consciousness, I was transferred to the medical room located to the north of that cell. After approximately 6-7 days, I was brought back to the previous cell. This cell was designated as cell number 11, and on the key ring, I saw ’11’ and ‘VIP’ written. After that, I was transferred to another cell for a few days on two more occasions. The first time was in 2022 for a week, probably in the month of February, when I was taken to another cell. After that, in June 2023, I was taken to that cell for two days. Besides this, for the rest of the time (until 5 August 2024), I was in cell number 11.”
Witness: It is not true that I have made a false statement to that effect.

Defence: You have made a false statement to the effect that, “I was also confirmed in several other ways that I was at the JIC in the DGFI’s Kochukhet complex. Firstly, from my cell, I could regularly hear two Azans (calls to prayer), one of which was from BNS Haji Mohsin and the other was from the mosque in the officers’ residential area located to the south of the mess. Other signs by which I was certain about my location were: during the take-off of flights from the airport (Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport), Kochukhet’s [—]. Besides, there is a hospital on the western side of the Kochukhet complex. I would often hear the sound of ambulance sirens from that area. I could also hear the sound of the band playing at Station Mess-B, the kind of band that is played at various parties according to army traditions. Moreover, the regular sound of train movements passing by the Banani MP checkpost on the eastern side, which I used to hear while staying at Mess-B during 1982–83, I regularly heard that exact same sound from the very same direction even while staying in the cell. Furthermore, among the MODC (Ministry of Defence Constabulary) sepoys who used to come on duty at the cell, a few of them also confirmed to me that I was being kept in the JIC inside the DGFI complex located in Kochukhet.”
Witness: It is not true that I have made a false statement to that effect.

Defence: You have made a false statement to the effect that, “During my detention, I was subjected to endless torture regarding my food, medical treatment, and various other matters. There was no natural light or air in the cell. For 2,908 days, I did not see the sky, did not see the moon and the sun, did not see clouds and rain, and did not see trees and soil. Being completely disconnected from the entire world, the torture I have suffered for this long period cannot be expressed in words. Besides, there used to be various kinds of noises 24 hours a day all around the cell, as a result of which I had to live with a constant headache. Whenever the Azan was called from the mosque, or any announcement regarding a person’s death or any other matter was made from the mosque, even more noise was created using various kinds of machines. I have come to know that the purpose of making these noises was to prevent any outside sound from entering inside, or so that if anyone was being tortured in the cell, the sound of their screams of agony would not go outside. It is worth mentioning that while staying at Station Mess B in 1982-83, I would occasionally hear the sounds of screams of agony from the JIC. After my release, a medical examination revealed that my hearing capacity has decreased by 50 percent.”
Witness: It is not true that I have made a false statement to that effect.

Defence: Did you submit to the IO the report of your hearing capacity having decreased by 50 percent?
Witness: I have not submitted to the IO the report of your hearing capacity having decreased by 50 percent.

Defence: You have made a false statement to the effect that, “On 30 May 2021, when I went to perform the Asr prayer ablution, they searched my room and seized nearly 65 manuscripts of books I had written, along with approximately 45 Qur’an and Hadith texts that had been provided to me by them. Later, upon my request, some of the books were returned; however, my manuscripts were not returned. After my release, I requested the then Director General, Major General (currently Lieutenant General) Foyez, to facilitate the return of my manuscripts. However, he informed me that there is no record of their existence.”
Witness: It is not true that I have made a false statement to that effect.

Defence: Can you recall the titles of the 65 manuscripts you have written?
Witness: I remember the titles of some of the 65 manuscripts I have written. For example: ‘The Quran was not revealed just for recitation’, ‘The chronological sequence of the arrival of Prophets and Messengers and their kinship’, ‘Why the Quran began this way and ended this way’, ‘Ways to resolve the traffic congestion in Dhaka city’, etc.

Defence: Have you written any other books since your release or after August 2024?
Witness: I have not written any book other than Bibhishikhamoy Aynaghor: Fascibader Gopon Karagar, 2908 Din” (বিভীষিকাময় আয়নাঘর, ফ্যাসিবাদের গোপন কারাগারে ২৯০৮ দিন) after August 2024.

Defence: You wrote in your book not to obey the commands of an unjust leader. Did you accept General Moeen as your commander, and did you follow his orders?
Witness: I accepted General Moeen as the Army Chief. But I did not obey any of his unjust orders.

Defence: Did you submit the statements or statuses you posted on Facebook to the Investigating Officer?
Witness: I did not give the statuses I posted on Facebook to the IO (Investigating Officer).

28 April

Remaining Cross-Examination on behalf of Major General Sheikh Md. Sarwar Hossain
(Cross examination on behalf of Mahbubur Rahman Siddiqui adopted.)

Defence: Other than these accused persons, did you mention the names of two additional military officers in your complaint to the Commission on Enforced Disappearances?
PW: I do not remember whether I mentioned the names of two additional military officers, apart from these accused persons, in my complaint to the Commission on Enforced Disappearances.

Defence: Were you able to identify all the persons who came to abduct you?
PW: I recognized one of the persons who came to abduct me.

Defence:Did the  Investigating Officer arrange any identification parade to identify the others?
PW: The Investigating Officer did not arrange any identification parade to identify the others.

Defence: Do you know whether there were six bureaus in DGFI in 2016?
PW: I do not know whether DGFI had six bureaus in 2016.

Defence: Other than on 19 October, 22 October, and 7 December 2016, were you interrogated on any other date?
PW: I was not interrogated on any date other than 19 October, 22 October, and 7 December 2016. However, at some later time (I do not remember the date or year), someone came to my room, showed me a photograph of a person, and asked whether I knew him. I said that I did not know him.

Defence: You said in your book that you successfully perform your duties during Operation Rebel Hunt?
PW: Yes, I successfully performed my duties during Operation Rebel Hunt.

Defence: During General Ershad’s Martial Law regime, you unlawfully detained and kept many people in custody.
PW: It is not true that during General Ershad’s Martial Law regime, I unlawfully detained and kept many people in custody. I personally did not detain anyone. I did not know why the above-mentioned three persons had been detained and kept under my supervision.

Defence: Did you make any attempt to find out the reasons for their detention?
PW: I did not try to find out the reasons for their detention because I was then a newly commissioned junior officer. Martial Law was in force at that time, and I had no opportunity to ask such questions.

Defence: You wrote on page 35 of your book .”And the Operation Commander of this operation was the DGFI Dhaka Detachment Commander, Brigadier General …”When did you learn his name?
PW: On page 35 of my book, I wrote: “And the Operation Commander of this operation was the DGFI Dhaka Detachment Commander, Brigadier General …” At the time I gave my statement to the Investigating Officer, I did not know that person’s name. I learned his name after writing this book. At that time, the Dhaka Detachment Commander was Brigadier General (later Major General and retired) Aminul Haque.

Defence: Had you learned his name before giving your statement before this Tribunal?
PW: Yes, I had learned his name before giving my statement before this Tribunal.

Defence: You intentionally concealed the name of Aminul Haque while giving your statement before the Tribunal.
PW: It is not true that I intentionally concealed the name of Aminul Haque while giving my statement before the Tribunal.

Defence: What decision was made regarding your service following the dismissal order dated 24 June 2009?
PW: The dismissal order dated 24 June 2009 was revoked, and I was retired from service. Subsequently, on 5 February 2024, a gazette notification was issued granting me two promotions.

Defence: You gave false testimony before this Tribunal regarding the accused Major General Sheikh Sarwar Hossain.
PW: It is not true that I gave false testimony before this Tribunal regarding the accused Major General Sheikh Sarwar Hossain.

Defence: Do you know whether Sarwar was serving in DGFI at the time of your abduction on 22 August 2016 or during enforced disappearance .
PW: I do not know whether Sarwar was serving in DGFI at the time of my abduction on 22 August 2016 or during enforced disappearance .

Cross-Examination on behalf of Ahmed Tanvir Mazhar Siddiqui
(All previous cross-examinations adopted.)

Defence: What do you know about Mazhar Siddiqui’s service record?
PW: I do not know anything about Mazhar Siddiqui’s service record.

Defence: What qualifications are required to become an instructor at the Defence Services Command and Staff College?
PW: To become an instructor at the Defence Services Command and Staff College, one must achieve excellent results in the course and, after being recommended as an instructor, those who complete a Second Staff Course abroad are appointed as instructors at the Staff College.

Defence: Was the accused Brigadier General Siddiqui your student?
PW: I do not remember whether the accused Brigadier General Siddiqui was my student.

Defence: Is there a term called “selective rank” in the Bangladesh Army?
PW: Yes, the term “selective rank” exists in the Bangladesh Army and applies to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and above.

Defence: What kind of board is formed for promotion to selective rank?
PW: For promotion to selective rank, a Promotion Board is formed under the leadership of the Chief of Army Staff, where the Director General of DGFI and officers of the rank of Major General and above are present.

Defence: Do you know whether security clearance for promotion is verified by the CIB?
PW: I do not know whether security clearance for the promotion of Army officers is verified by the CIB.

Defence: Do you know  that the security clearance of the DG of DGFI is taken for promotions?
PW: Yes, I have heard that the security clearance of the Director General of DGFI is taken for promotions, although I do not know whether this is legally authorized.

Defence: How many selective rank promotions had you received before your dismissal in 2009?
PW: Before my dismissal in 2009, I had received three selective rank promotions.

Defence: You falsely stated that for promotion to selective rank, a Promotion Board is formed under the leadership of the Chief of Army Staff, where the Director General of DGFI and officers of the rank of Major General and above are present.
PW: It is not true that I falsely stated that for promotion to selective rank, a Promotion Board is formed under the leadership of the Chief of Army Staff, where the Director General of DGFI and officers of the rank of Major General and above are present.

Defence: Prior to 2009, did you receive any disciplinary punishment during your service in the Army?
PW: Prior to 2009, I did not receive any disciplinary punishment during my service in the Army.

Defence: During your service, was there any alliance known as the “Clean Service Alliance”?
PW: During my service, there was no alliance known as the “Clean Service Alliance.”

Defence: Did you know the names of the MODC soldiers who were on duty at your cell?
PW: I did not learn the names of the MODC soldiers who were on duty at my cell. Even after my release, I did not ask for or attempt to learn their names.

Defence: You falsely stated that whatever you have told me, you must state the same truth before the court. That will be the best course of action for you.’
PW: It is not true that I falsely stated that whatever you have told me, you must state the same truth before the court. That will be the best course of action for you.’

Defence: What were with you when you were released at Elenga?
PW: When I was released at Elenga, I had a copy of the Holy Qur’an, tayammum soil, an ointment, and a gamcha (traditional towel), which I did not hand over to the Investigating Officer.

Defence: Can you say by which route you were taken from Technical Mor to the hospital in Dhanmondi?
PW: I cannot say by which route I was taken from Technical Mor to the hospital in Dhanmondi.

Defence: You falsely stated that you do not know against whom action was recommended in the Court of Inquiry.
PW: It is not true that I falsely stated that I do not know against whom action was recommended in the Court of Inquiry.

Defence: Were there any eyewitnesses to the reign of terror created by the abductors at the time of your abduction?
PW: Yes, there were eyewitnesses to the reign of terror created by the abductors at the time of my abduction.

Defence: Did you provide the names of any eyewitnesses to the Investigating Officer?
PW: I do not remember whether I provided the names of any eyewitnesses to the Investigating Officer.

Defence: You have given false testimony against the accused Brigadier Tanvir Mazhar Siddiqui.
PW: It is not true that I have given false testimony against the accused Brigadier Tanvir Mazhar Siddiqui.

Defence: Do you know whether the accused Brigadier Tanvir Mazhar Siddiqui was serving in DGFI in 2016?
PW: I do not know whether the accused Brigadier Tanvir Mazhar Siddiqui was serving in DGFI in 2016.

Cross-Examination on behalf of Sheikh Hasina

Defence: To whom did you submit the applications on 7 December 2016?
PW: On 7 December 2016, I submitted several applications. Those applications were addressed to the “appropriate authority” and were submitted through my supervisor.

Defence: Who was the Director General of DGFI at the time of your abduction?
PW: At the time of my abduction, the Director General of DGFI was Major General Akbar Hossain.

Defence: Do you know whether JIC operates under CTIB?
PW: Yes, I have heard that JIC operates under CTIB. (Subject to objection by the accused persons present.)

Defence: Do you know whether Bureau Chiefs can bypass DGFI and send reports directly to the Prime Minister’s Defence Adviser?
PW: I do not know whether Bureau Chiefs can bypass DGFI and send reports directly to the Prime Minister’s Defence Adviser.

PW: It is not true that these five accused persons were not involved in my abduction.

PW: It is not true that these accused persons did not subject me to any form of torture or persecution.

Defence: Among these accused persons,  at the time of your  abduction, four of these accused persons—Tareq Ahmed Siddique, Saiful Abedin, Ahmmad Tabrez Shams, and Saiful Alom—were not the Director General of DGFI.Right?
PW: Yes, Among these accused persons,  at the time of my abduction, four of these accused persons—Tareq Ahmed Siddique, Saiful Abedin, Ahmmad Tabrez Shams, and Saiful Alom—were not the Director General of DGFI

Defence: These accused persons (Saiful Abedin,Ahmmad Tabrez Shams, and Saiful Alom) were unaware of your abduction and enforced disappearance.
PW: It is not true that these accused persons (Saiful Abedin, Ahmmad Tabrez Shams,and Saiful Alom) were unaware of my abduction and enforced disappearance.

Cross-Examination by Sujad Mia
(All previous cross-examinations were adopted.)

Hearing of the application will be held on the next date, May 6, 2026.