Sukhranjan Bali, a key witness in the war crimes trial of Jamaat leader Delwar Hossain Sayeedi, has demanded justice against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 32 others. He alleged that he was abducted in 2012 from the International Crimes Tribunal premises, tortured, forced into giving false testimony against Sayeedi, and later illegally sent to India where he was imprisoned for five years. Bali claims this was part of a political conspiracy to eliminate opposition and to fabricate charges against Sayeedi.
The Complaint
On Thursday (21 August), Sukhranjan Bali submitted a written complaint to the Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal. In it, he accused Sheikh Hasina, former Chief Justice S.K. Sinha, ex-Law Minister Shafique Ahmed, ex-State Minister for Law Qamrul Islam, tribunal judges, investigators, prosecutors, and several Awami League leaders and activists of being involved in his abduction and torture.
The Background
Bali said his brother, Bisheshwar Bali, was killed by the Pakistani army in 1971. In 2010, tribunal investigator Helal Uddin asked him to testify against Delwar Hossain Sayeedi, even though Sayeedi had no link with the murder.
According to Bali:
“Helal Uddin told me to falsely name Sayeedi as my brother’s killer and testify against him. But I clearly said Sayeedi had nothing to do with it.”
When he refused, Bali alleged that he was tortured and threatened by local Awami League leaders, MPs, and members of Chhatra League and Jubo League.
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Abduction in 2012
Sukhranjan Bali agreed to testify truthfully in Sayeedi’s defense. But on 5 November 2012, as he arrived at the tribunal with lawyers, plainclothes police stopped their car.
He recalls:
“One policeman slapped me hard, pulled me out of the car, and forced me into a white police pickup. They tied my eyes and hands and took me to a secret place.”
There, he was kept in a dark cell for nearly two months, denied proper food and light, and subjected to brutal torture.
Torture and Pressure
Sukhranjan Bali said he was:
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Beaten mercilessly.
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Given electric shocks, including to his private parts.
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Offered money and a house if he agreed to give false testimony.
“They tried to break me with torture and bribes, but I refused to lie against Sayeedi.”
Secret Transfer to India
After two months of captivity, Bali was blindfolded and taken near the border. He was handed over to India’s Border Security Force (BSF), who also tortured him and later jailed him in West Bengal.
He was kept for five years in Dum Dum Central Jail. His family and international human rights groups later confirmed his location. With their help and the intervention of the Indian Supreme Court, he was eventually released.
Cover-Up by Tribunal
Bali’s lawyers had immediately informed the tribunal about his abduction, but the tribunal judges and prosecutors denied it. Even though CCTV cameras were present, tribunal chairman Justice Nizamul Haque Nasim refused to show the footage. Instead, Bali’s lawyers were charged with contempt of court.
Bali’s Statement
Sukhranjan Bali said:
“I saw with my own eyes who killed my brother in 1971, and Sayeedi was not there. I was abducted, tortured, and imprisoned only because I refused to give false testimony against him.”
He added:
“The case against Sayeedi was false, politically motivated, and part of a state conspiracy. He was unjustly jailed and later killed in prison.”
Demand for Justice
Finally, Bali declared:
“What happened to me—abduction, torture, forced imprisonment in India—was all part of a planned conspiracy. My human rights were violated in the worst way. I demand justice and exemplary punishment for Sheikh Hasina and the 32 others involved.”
Source: Ntv
