Report accurately on trial proceedings, urges ICT

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Tuesday once again called upon the journalists to publish and air accurate reports on trial proceedings, or else, it gives a wrong signal to people about the credibility of the judicial process, reports UNB. Referring to Monday's trial proceedings published in some newspapers and aired by Radio and TV channels quoting a defence lawyer that the tribunal had allowed the investigation officer to remain in the courtroom during the cross examination of the prosecution witness despite objection. "But the defence lawyer didn't mention that the tribunal rejected the plea referring to the ICT rule that allows the investigation officer to remain in the courtroom during the cross examination," said Justice M Nizamul Huq, chairman of the three-member tribunal. "Both the media and the defence counsel gave wrong signal to people about the fairness of the tribunal," he added. "We're duty bound to ensure even-handed justice. Allahr Oaste (for God's sake), please refrain from publishing and airing distorted news about the ongoing trial proceedings," the ICT chairman urged the media. Meanwhile, the tribunal disposing of a debate over the mode of cross examination imposed a bar on the defence counsel for putting question to the prosecution witness from the contents of any document submitted to the tribunal during cross examination, as it is yet to be admissible. The tribunal issued the ruling referring to the rule 55 of the ICT Act that says: "Once the document is marked as exhibit, the contents of a document shall be admissible." Earlier, the defence counsel for war crimes accused Jamat-e Islami leader detained Delwar Hossain Sayedee, cross examined PW No 1 Mahbubul Alam Hawlader. During the cross examination by the defence counsel , PW freedom fighter Mahbub admitted that he was convicted in two criminal cases -- one of dowry and another of stealing-and also served jail terms.