Witness 5: Arisa Afroze
Deposition of Arisa Afroze
My name is Arisa Afroze. My father’s name is Ashraf Uddin. My husband’s name is [redacted]. My address is [redacted] District: Dinajpur. Present address: [redacted] Rampura, Dhaka.
I am the mother of martyr Ashikul Islam. My son studied in Class IX at Banasree Nibras Madrasa.I work as a tailor. The name of my shop is Arisa Boutiques & Tailors.
On 19-07-2024 (Friday), my son martyr Ashikul Islam (14) returned home after Jumu’ah prayers and had meals with me. At that time, we had meals at one of my younger sisters’ houses at House No. 4, Road No. 3, Block G, Banasree Housing.
Hearing the slogans of the protesters, my son joined the protesters. I saw that my son, martyr Ashikul Islam was standing with the protesters at Avenue Road. I saw that suddenly firing started and my son along with the protesters ran towards Road No. 2 being chased. I saw several people being hit by bullets. Some were hit in the leg, some in the hand, some in the head.
(Defence raised objection stating that these were not recorded in her statement. Thereafter, the Prosecution submitted that she may state whatever she wishes and there is no rule for such objection.
Tribunal: We shall take what the witness states; we do not strictly rely on the written statement.)
Their wounds were bandaged with cloth and they were sent to hospital. Thereafter, heavy firing took place and many people died like birds. I saw many dead bodies lying there.
I waited for my son. My son did not return until night. At about 10:00 p.m., I was walking in the garage of House No. 4 in search of my son. At that time, a boy asked me, “Aunty, what happened?” I said, “My son has not yet returned home, I cannot find any trace of him.” Then the boy showed me a picture on his mobile phone and said, “See whether this is your son.” Upon seeing the picture, I identified him as my son. In the picture, there was a bandage on his head and his eyes were closed. After seeing the picture, I became senseless.
At about 12:00 a.m., I went to Advance Hospital to see my son. The doctors on duty informed me that my son had died due to gunshot injuries. I saw that a bullet entered through the right ear and exited through the left ear. On that night, I took the body to my village home in Dinajpur and the body was buried on 20-07-2024.
Subsequently, I came to know that Colonel Redwan, Major Rafat, ADC Rashed and Mashiur opened fire on the instruction of Sheikh Hasina. Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and Obaidul Quader were also involved. I came to know these facts through social media and from the protesters. I have also seen it myself.
“I seek justice for the killing of my son.”
The Investigating Officer has examined me.
This is my statement.
Cross-examination conducted by Aminul Gani Titu on behalf of the present accused Colonel Redwanul Islam
Defence: On which date were you examined by the Investigating Officer?
PW: I do not remember the date on which the IO examined me. However, I was examined around February.
Defence: What is the name of your shop?
PW: I am the owner of Arisa Boutiques & Tailors. It is located at G Block, Road No. 3, House No. 8/10.
Defence: Did you reside at House No. 8/10, Road No. 3, G Block in 2024?
PW: I did not reside at that address in 2024.
Defence: Where were you residing at that time?
PW: At that time, I was residing at G Block, Road No. 1, House No. 13.
Defence: Did you reside on the upper floor of your boutique and tailor shop?
PW: I did not reside on the upper floor of my boutique and tailor shop.
Defence: What is the name of the owner of the said boutique premises?
PW: The owner’s name is Titu. I do not remember the name of the owner of the house where I was residing.
Defence: When did you start the shop?
PW: I started the shop in January 2023. (Later I stated January 2022.)
Defence: Since when were you residing at G Block, Road No. 1, House No. 13?
PW: I had been residing there about 1 to 1.5 years prior to the incident of 2024.
Defence: Since when have you been residing in Banasree?
PW: I have been residing in Banasree since 2013.
Defence: When did you get married?
PW: My first marriage was around 2008/2009 with Faridul Islam. My second marriage was in 2020 with Saikat Islam.
Defence: Where is Advance Hospital located?
PW: Advance Hospital is located in F Block, Banasree.
Defence: Who accompanied you to Advance Hospital?
PW: My neighbours accompanied me. They included my sister Asmani, the house manager, his wife and daughter.
Defence: Where is Asmani’s village home?
PW: Asmani’s village home is in Sirajganj.
Defence: Where is your village home?
PW: My village home is in Dinajpur.
Defence: Is Asmani your biological sister?
PW: No, she is not my blood sister. We have a sisterly relationship.
Defence: What is the occupation of Asmani’s husband?
PW: He works in a garment factory. I do not remember his name.
Defence: Did you collect your son’s death certificate from Advance Hospital on 19-07-2024?
PW: I could not collect it on that date. The doctor said if the certificate was issued, Sheikh Hasina would shoot them. I collected it after 5 August.
Defence: Can you name the doctor who said so?
PW: I cannot tell his name.
Defence: Did you provide the death certificate of your son to the IO?
PW: I cannot recall whether I gave it to the IO.
Defence: Was any post-mortem conducted on your son’s body?
PW: No post-mortem conducted on my son’s body.
Defence: Did you give any documents relating to your son’s education at Nibras Madrasha to the Investigation Officer?
PW: I cannot recall. However, I gave many documents.
Defence: Did you give your son’s birth certificate to the IO?
PW: I may have given it.
Defence: Did you give burial-related documents?
PW: No.
PW further states: No certificate or receipt is issued from the village graveyard.
Defence (Suggestion): In a village, such certificates or receipts are required to be obtained from a social graveyard.
PW: It is not true that in a village, such certificates or receipts are required to be obtained from a social graveyard.
Defence: Did you provide an ambulance receipt?Or did you receive any receipt from the ambulance driver?
PW: I do not remember.
Defence: Were you aware of curfew in force on 19-07-2024?
PW: Yes, I was aware. However, while we were travelling with the ambulance there was not a single person on the road.
Defence: Were there any obstruction or search during your journey to Dinajpur?
PW: We did not face any obstruction or search during our journey to Dinajpur.
Defence: Did you file a case regarding the death of your son?
PW: I had attempted to lodge a case regarding the death of my son at the police station. However ,I could not file the case as the police station had been vandalized.I was also threatened when I went there to lodge the case.
Defence: Did you file a case after 5 August?
PW: I filed a case before the court after 5 August.
Defence: Did you provide the documents of the said case to the IO?
PW: I provided the documents of the said case to the IO. The witness further states that she later says she does not remember whether she provided them.
Defence (Suggestion): Upon hearing the slogans of the protesters, my son joined the protesters. I saw my son martyr Ashikul Islam standing with the protesters at Avenue Road. I saw that suddenly firing started and my son along with the protesters ran towards Road No. 2 after being chased. I saw several persons being hit by bullets in the leg, hand, and head. Their wounds were bandaged with cloth and they were sent to hospital. Thereafter, heavy firing took place and many people were killed like birds. I saw many dead bodies lying there – you did not state this before the Investigating Officer.
PW: Upon hearing the slogans of the protesters, my son joined the protesters. I saw my son martyr Ashikul Islam standing with the protesters at Avenue Road. I saw that suddenly firing started and my son along with the protesters ran towards Road No. 2 after being chased. I saw several persons being hit by bullets in the leg, hand, and head. Their wounds were bandaged with cloth and they were sent to hospital. Thereafter, heavy firing took place and many people were killed like birds. I saw many dead bodies lying there – I cannot remember whether I stated this before the Investigating Officer.
Defence: I waited for my son. My son did not return till night. At about 10:00 p.m., I was walking in the garage of House No. 4 in search of my son. At that time a boy asked me, “Aunty, what happened?” I said, “My son has not returned home yet, I cannot find any trace of him” – you did not state this before the Investigating Officer.
PW: I waited for my son. My son did not return till night. At about 10:00 p.m., I was walking in the garage of House No. 4 in search of my son. At that time a boy asked me, “Aunty, what happened?” I said, “My son has not returned home yet, I cannot find any trace of him” – I cannot remember whether I stated this before the Investigating Officer.
Defence (Suggestion): In the photograph his head was bandaged and his eyes were closed – you did not state this before the Investigating Officer.
PW: In the photograph his head was bandaged and his eyes were closed – I cannot remember whether I stated this before the Investigating Officer.
Defence: Did you collect the photograph of your son shown on the mobile phone of that boy?
PW: I did not collect the photograph of my son shown on the mobile phone of that boy.
Defence (Suggestion): “Subsequently, I came to know that Colonel Redwan, Major Rafat, ADC Rashed and Mashiur opened fire on the instruction of Sheikh Hasina. Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and Obaidul Quader were also involved. I came to know these facts through social media and from protesters. I have also seen it myself” – you did not state this before the Investigating Officer.
PW: “Subsequently, I came to know that Colonel Redwan, Major Rafat, ADC Rashed and Mashiur opened fire on the instruction of Sheikh Hasina. Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and Obaidul Quader were also involved. I came to know these facts through social media and from protesters. I have also seen it myself” – I cannot remember whether I stated this before the Investigating Officer.
Defence (Suggestion): You have deposed before the Tribunal as tutored by the Investigating Officer.
PW: It is not true that I have deposed before the Tribunal as tutored by the Investigating Officer.
Cross-examination on behalf of the present accused Rafat Bin Mun By Masud Salauddin.
(previous cross examination has been adopted.)
The Next date has been set on 19 May 2026.