Dhaka: Hummam Quader Chowdhury, son of the late BNP leader Salauddin Quader Chowdhury, today demanded the maximum punishment for those responsible for his enforced disappearance and alleged torture at the Joint Interrogation Cell during the previous Awami League government. Hummam appeared as the first prosecution witness at the International Crimes Tribunal-1 and submitted a detailed testimony, narrating his ordeal.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Hummam recounted his experience of being picked up by plainclothes security personnel on August 4, 2026, from his car in front of Bongshal Police Station in the capital. He described being subjected to brutal torture for seven months in an undisclosed location. Hummam stated that he was regularly interrogated by unidentified men and endured various tortures, including chemical injections in his veins. He described the severe physical reactions he experienced from the injections, such as a burning sensation throughout his body and discoloration of his hand.
During his confinement, Hummam mentioned hearing individuals speaking in Hindi outside his room. Following his testimony, the tribunal adjourned the hearing until January 25, when the defense is scheduled to cross-examine him.
Earlier, the prosecution in its opening statement urged the court to set a clear precedent of accountability to prevent the recurrence of enforced disappearances in Bangladesh. Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam emphasized that the trial aims to address accountability for past crimes and demonstrates a commitment to preventing such crimes in the future.