JnU Correspondent

A Dhaka court yesterday summoned Rafida Ahmed Bonya and five other prosecution witnesses to appear before it for statements on December 30, in the case filed over the murder of writer-blogger Avijit Roy.

Judge Md Majibur Rahman of the Anti-Terrorism Special Tribunal of Dhaka passed the order during yesterday’s hearing.

Eight out of 34 prosecution witnesses, including Avijit’s father Ajoy Roy who passed away on December 9, have given their depositions before the tribunal so far in the case.

“Bonya is the most important witness in the case,” Assistant Public Prosecutor Golam Sharuar Khan told The Daily Star.

During yesterday’s hearing, prosecution witness Saiful Kabir told the court that Assistant Commissioner Fazlur Rahman of Detective Branch (DB) seized two cell phones and SIM cards in front of him on March 2, 2015 during investigation.

“On March 3 that year, investigation officer Fazlur Rahman seized three CPUs as evidence in the case,” said Saiful, a constable of DB (south division).

“Constable Bashir Uddin, who was also a witness while seizing the case evidence, died in 2017,” Saiful added.

The judge recorded Saiful’s statements after the defence lawyers cross-examined him.

Four accused -- Mozammel Hossain Saymon, Abu Siddiq Sohel, Arafat Rahman Siam and Shafiur Rahman Farabi -- were produced before the tribunal during yesterday’s hearing. Two other accused -- Sayed Mohammad Ziaul Haque alias Maj (sacked) Zia and Akram Hossain Abir -- are still on the run.