Witness 7: Sumi Akter

Evidence given by Sumi Akter

My name is Sumi Akter. I am 38 years old. My fathers name is [redacted]. My address is: [redacted] Barishal.

I am the wife of Martyr Akhtaruzzaman. My husband was a retail clothing businessman.

On 28-07-2024, around 9:00 AM or 9:30 AM, my husband left home to participate in the quota reform movement. When I called him in the afternoon, I found his phone switched off. Around 7:00 PM, I received a call on my mobile from an unknown number.

At that time, I was living in a rented house in Mirpur-2. I was informed over the phone that my husband had met with an accident and was told to come to DMCH (Dhaka Medical College Hospital). When I asked to speak with my husband, the caller said it wasn’t possible to talk. I informed my brothers-in-law about everything and asked them to go to DMCH. I also arrived at DMCH around 8:00 PM. On the way there, the  police and the Army checked me. Upon arriving there, I found my brothers-in-law. After making me sit in the hospital for a while, they brought my husband’s body on a trolley and informed me that my husband had been shot in the head. Later, my husband’s body was taken to our village home in Patuakhali and buried.

After 05-08-24, I learned through social media that my husband and other protesters across the country were killed based on the mutual communication, planning, and decisions of the then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her advisor Salman F Rahman, and Law Minister Anisul Huq. They made this plan during the curfew so that no protester would survive.

I have one child. His current age is seven years. I want justice for everyone involved in the murder of my husband.

The investigating officer has questioned me.

This is my statement.

Cross-Examination on behalf of the  present accused Salman F Rahman and Anisul Haque

Defence:What do you do now?
PW: I provide tuition.I have completed my Intermediate (HSC) education.

Defence:Do you use a smart phone?
PW: I use a personal smart mobile phone.

Defence: On the day of the incident ,what did your husband tell you while leaving the house ?I mean where he was going?
PW: On the day of the incident, my husband left saying he was going to work, but he did not specify where he was going. Later, I learned over the phone that my husband had met with an accident.

Defence: When did you come to know about the involvement of the accused through social media ?

PW: You falsely stated  that after 05-08-24, I learned through social media about the involvement of the accused.

Defence: After 05-08-24, I learned through social media that my husband and other protesters across the country were killed based on the mutual communication, planning, and decisions of the then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her advisor Salman F Rahman, and Law Minister Anisul Huq. They made this plan during the curfew so that no protester would survive-you gave  this  statement on being instructed.
PW: It is not true that I gave this statement on being instructed

Defence: You have given false testimony.
PW: It is not true that I have given false testimony.

Defence: The accused are not involved in this case.
PW: It is not true that  the accused are not involved in this case.

The next date has been set on 15-4-26.