DACCA: The Special Tribunal hearing the Agartala Conspiracy Case yesterday [Feb 3] examined accused Ruhul Quddus, CSP and eight others all of whom denied the allegation of conspiracy to bring about East Pakistan’s secession by an armed revolt. Ruhul Quddus told the Tribunal that during his detention he was kept in solitary confinement, subjected to mental torture and often threatened with physical torture.

Accused Ruhul Quddus denied the allegation that he along with others had conspired to bring about East Pakistan’s secession by an armed revolt mainly with Indian arms assistance. Rep­lying to a court question Ruhul Quddus said that he had never visited the house of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He said that before coming to the court he did not know Lt. Commander Muazzam Husain, Sultanuddin or Steward Mujibur Rahman.

He said that he had never adopted the code name of “Shekhar”. He said he never joined any conspiracy which might require such adoption of code names. Ruhul Quddus denied that he ever attended any meeting in the house of Mr Tajuddin in connection with the alleged conspiracy. He also denied the allegation that accused Ali Reza had gone to Lahore to convey to him the alleged misappropriation of so-called party funds by Lt. Com. Muazzam Husain. — Agency

Published in Dawn, February 5th, 2019