Shawdesh Desk:

Three prosecution witnesses including the investigation officer (IO) testified in an arms case filed against expelled Jubo Mohila League leader Shamima Nur Papia and her husband Mofizur Rahman Sumon on Sunday.

Police inspector Shairul Islam, sub-inspector Sudhangsho Sarkar and IO RAB sub-inspector Arifuzzaman testified before the court today. The defence cross-examined the first two, but failed to finish the cross-examination of the IO.

After end of today’s proceedings, Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge KM Imrul Qayes adjourned the hearing till September 8.

Eleven prosecution witnesses out of the total 12 have so far testified in the case. The court on August 23 framed charges in the case.

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

Earlier on February 22, 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.