First prosecution witness gives testimony in arms case against Papia, husband

First prosecution witness (PW) in an arms case against expelled Jubo Mohila League leader Shamima Nur Papia and her husband Mofizur Rahman Sumon, on Monday submitted his testimony.

Seizure list witness RAB sub-inspector Saiful Alam testified as first prosecution witness at the court of Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge KM Imrul Qayes. After recording his testimony, the court adjourned the hearing till Tuesday for his cross-examination and examining other witnesses.

The court on August 23 framed charges in the case and set today to start recording deposition of the prosecution witnesses.

Investigation officer (IO) and RAB Sub-Inspector Arifuzzaman filed charge-sheet against the couple in the case on June 29, making 12 people witnesses.

Earlier on February 22, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested Papia and her husband, along with two of their accomplices, from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport with counterfeit banknotes, foreign currencies and cash.

RAB later raided their two luxurious flats in the capital’s Indira Road area and recovered a foreign-made pistol, two magazines, 20 bullets, five bottles of foreign liquor and Taka 58.41 lakh in cash, among other things.