Witness 4: Maruf Hossain
Evidence given by Maruf Hossain
My name is Maruf Hossain, son of [redacted] aged 26 years. My address is [redacted] Dhaka-1212.
I am employed as an Assistant Marketing Manager at Power Grid of Bangladesh Company. My office is located in Aftabnagar, Block-A.
On 18-07-2024, while I was in my office, I saw from the 13th floor of the office building that shots were being fired from a RAB helicopter at the anti-quota movement protesters.
On Friday, 19-07-2024, at approximately 10:00 a.m., my colleague Rakib came to my residence. At that time, the internet was shut down. Rakib and I went to our office to check whether there was internet service there, but found that there was no internet there either.While returning from the office, we saw that student protesters were coming out from inside Aftabnagar and heading towards Rampura Main Road. Rakib said to me, “Let’s go too.” Rakib and I joined them in the movement.
After crossing the Aftabnagar gate and proceeding a short distance, I saw from the WASA gate on our left that members of BGB and the police, armed with weapons, were advancing toward Rampura Bridge. We proceeded to the main road and saw that the police and BGB were firing at the students. Upon hearing the gunshots, Rakib, I, and other students and members of the public retreated. I took shelter under a nearby passenger shed.
Thereafter, we moved again toward the main road. Rakib took out his mobile phone from behind a banyan tree in order to record video. Suddenly, I saw Rakib fall backward. I ran to him and saw blood coming from his lower abdomen. Rakib was struck by gunfire from the BGB and the police and fell to the ground.
I took Rakib in my arms and began moving backward. After some distance, I found a rickshaw. When we placed him on the rickshaw, he fell off. Meanwhile, members of the BGB and the police came very close to us and opened fire again. Hearing the gunshots, the rickshaw puller abandoned the rickshaw and ran away.
Later, with the assistance of several persons, I placed Rakib back on the same rickshaw and took him to the nearby Nagorik Hospital. As Rakib’s condition was critical, the duty doctors advised that he be taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
When Rakib’s brother-in-law called Rakib’s phone, I informed him that Rakib had been shot and asked him to come to Nagorik Hospital. Rakib’s mother and brother-in-law arrived at Nagorik Hospital and took him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital by ambulance. As my clothes and body were covered in blood, I was unable to accompany them.
Later that day, I went to offer Jumu’ah prayers and prayed for Rakib’s recovery. After returning home from the mosque, Rakib’s brother-in-law informed me over the phone that Rakib had died.
Subsequently, through social media and CCTV footage, I came to know that Redowan of the BGB and Mashiur of the police fired upon the students and members of the public on that day, as a result of which Rakib was shot and died.
I seek justice against these three persons, as well as their superior and subordinate officers who were involved in the killing.
The Investigating Officer interrogated me.
This is my statement.
Cross-Examination on behalf of the absconding accused Moshiur and Rasedul Islam
Defence: What is your relationship with Rakib?
PW: Rakib is my colleague and friend.
Defence: What are your educational qualifications?
PW: I have completed a diploma in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning. I am currently studying for a BSc in Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE).
Defence: You falsely stated that “While returning from the office, I saw that student protesters were coming out from inside Aftabnagar and heading towards Rampura Main Road. Rakib said to me, ‘Let’s go too.’ Rakib and I joined them in the movement.”
PW: It is not true that I falsely stated that, “While returning from the office, I saw that student protesters were coming out from inside Aftabnagar and heading towards Rampura Main Road. Rakib said to me, ‘Let’s go too.’ Rakib and I joined them in the movement.”
Defence: Approximately how far away were the BGB and police advancing toward Rampura Bridge from the place where you saw them?
PW: From the place where I saw them, the BGB and police were approximately 100 yards away as they were advancing toward Rampura Bridge.
Defence: You falsely stated that Rakib was shot and fell to the ground as a result of gunfire by the BGB and police.
PW: It is not true that I falsely stated that Rakib was shot and fell to the ground as a result of gunfire by the BGB and police.
Defence: Where is the banyan tree described in your statement located?
PW: The banyan tree described in my statement is located adjacent to the main gate on the way toward Aftabnagar.
Defence: Was anyone else present at the place where Rakib was shot and fell?
PW: Several other people were present at the place where Rakib was shot and fell. I do not know them. I also do not know the person who helped me place Rakib on the rickshaw for the second time. I was unable to learn the name of the rickshaw puller.
Defence: Did you collect any documents relating to Rakib’s treatment at Nagorik Hospital?
PW: I did not collect any documents relating to Rakib’s treatment at Nagorik Hospital.
Defence: You falsely stated that when Rakib’s brother-in-law called Rakib’s phone, I informed him that Rakib had been shot and asked him to come to Nagorik Hospital.
PW: It is not true that I falsely stated that when Rakib’s brother-in-law called Rakib’s phone, I informed him that Rakib had been shot and asked him to come to Nagorik Hospital.
Defence: You would be unable to say which police officer and BGB member fired at that time.
PW: It is not true that I would be unable to say which police officer and which BGB member fired at that time.
Defence: Did you see that Rashed and Mashiur fired the shots?
PW: Yes, I saw on social media and CCTV footage that Rashed and Mashiur fired the shots.
Defence: You have given false testimony as instructed.
PW: It is not true that I have given false testimony as instructed.
On behalf of Rafat: Cross-examination declined.
Cross-examination on behalf of the present accused Colonel Redwan
Defence: Do you remember when the Investigating Officer interrogated you?
PW: I do not remember when the Investigating Officer interrogated me.
XXX
Cross-examination on behalf of the present accused Colonel Redwan
Defence: What was the holding number of the house where you were residing in 2024?
PW: The house where I was residing in 2024 did not have any holding number. The name of the house was ‘Kazi Villa’.
Defence: When did you shift to your present residence?
PW: I shifted to my present residence approximately one year ago.
Defence: Is Aftabnagar your permanent address?
PW: Aftabnagar is not my permanent address.
Defence: How long have you been residing in Aftabnagar?
PW: I have been residing in Aftabnagar for approximately five years.
Defence: What type of entity is Power Grid of Bangladesh Company ?
PW: Power Grid of Bangladesh Company is an autonomous organization.
Defence: On what date did you join as Assistant Marketing Manager in the power grid company?
PW: I do not remember the exact date of joining as Assistant Marketing Manager; however, I joined the said position towards the end of 2021.
Defence: What was your educational qualification at the time of joining the job?
PW: At the time of joining the job, my educational qualification was Diploma in Engineering.
Defence: From where and when did you complete your diploma?
PW: I completed my diploma from Dhaka Polytechnic Institute in 2020.
Defence: In which position was Rakib employed at the power grid?
PW: My friend Rakib was employed at Power Grid in a cleaner position.
Defence: What do you know about Rakib’s educational qualification?
PW: I do not know how far Rakib studied.
Defence: When did Rakib and you become friends?
PW: Rakib joined the said company before me, and we became friends during our employment.
Defence: What is the distance between your office and the passenger shed?
PW: The distance between my office and the passenger shed is approximately more than 200 to 300 meters.
Defence: What was the size of the banyan tree at the place of occurrence?
PW: The banyan tree was of medium size.
Defence: Suggestion: Rakib recorded a video from behind the banyan tree.
PW: It is not true that Rakib recorded a video from behind the banyan tree.
Defence: At what time did you take Rakib to Nagarik Hospital?
PW: I took Rakib to Nagarik Hospital at approximately between 11:45 a.m. and 12:00 noon, and I stayed there for more than half an hour.
Defence: How many doctors treated Rakib at Nagarik Hospital?
PW: I do not know how many doctors treated Rakib, as he was taken into a cabin.
Defence: Who were present when the doctors advised to take Rakib to Dhaka Medical College Hospital?
PW: When the doctors advised to take Rakib to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, I along with Rakib’s mother, his brother-in-law, and others were present.
Defence: At what time did Rakib’s brother-in-law call him?
PW: I do not exactly remember at what time Rakib’s brother-in-law called him.
Defence: How long after the call did Rakib’s mother and brother-in-law arrive at the hospital?
PW: Approximately 10 to 15 minutes after the call, Rakib’s mother and brother-in-law arrived at Nagarik Hospital.
Defence: Where is Rakib’s residence located?
PW: Rakib’s residence is in Aftabnagar, B Block.
Defence: What is the distance between B Block and Nagarik Hospital?
PW: I cannot say the distance between B Block and Nagarik Hospital.
Defence: You were not present at the place of occurrence, you did not rescue Rakib, nor did you take him to the hospital, and there was no blood on your clothes.
PW: It is not true that I was not present at the place of occurrence, or that I did not rescue Rakib, or did not take him to the hospital, or that there was no blood on my clothes.
Defence: Did you provide Rakib’s brother-in-law’s phone number to the Investigating Officer?
PW: I did not provide Rakib’s brother-in-law’s phone number to the Investigating Officer.
Defence: Where was the CCTV,as described by you ,located ?
PW: There was a WASA station at Dasherkandi on the opposite side of where we were, had CCTV.
Defence: How did you view the CCTV footage?
PW: I viewed the CCTV footage of our office through one of my colleagues.
Defence: What is the name of that colleague?
PW: The colleague who showed me the footage requested that his name not be disclosed for security reasons.
Defence: You did not view the CCTV footage through any colleague.
PW: It is not true that I did not view the CCTV footage through my colleague.
Defence: You have given false testimony stating that ‘my colleague Rakib came to my residence. At that time, the internet was shut down. To check whether there was internet access at the office, Rakib and I went to our office, where we also found that there was no internet.’
PW: It is not true that I have given false testimony stating that ‘my colleague Rakib came to my residence. At that time, the internet was shut down. To check whether there was internet access at the office, Rakib and I went to our office, where we also found that there was no internet.’
Defence: Were you affiliated with any political party?
PW: I was not affiliated with any political party.
Defence: Was Rakib affiliated with any political party?
PW: I do not know whether Rakib was affiliated with any political party.
Defence: You mentioned the name of Redwan of BGB as instructed.
PW: It is not true that I mentioned the name of Redwan of BGB as instructed.
Defence: You have deposed falsely as instructed.
PW: It is not true that I have deposed falsely as instructed.
The next date has been set on 13-05-2026.