Court hears Raj Dulal murder accused frequented Aberdeen casino with alleged victim

A chef accused of murdering a restauranteur almost 40 years ago would visit an Aberdeen casino with his alleged victim "all the time", a court has heard.

Riasat Khan, 63, used to visit a gaming house in the Scottish city with Kazi Ahmad in the months before the businessman's body was found in a nearby property in October 1978.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard on Thursday how waiter Syed Munjibur Rahman told police last year that the pair would visit the casino after shifts at the Raj Dulal Restaurant.

Mr Rahman said that Mr Ahmad "felt comfortable" at having Mr Khan by his side.

The court heard that this was because Mr Ahmad carried "large amounts of money".

Mr Rahman,55, agreed with a suggestion made by defence lawyer Gary Allan QC that there was a a friendship between the two men.

Mr Allan then asked Mr Rahman: "They would go to the casino all the time together?"

Mr Rahman replied: "Yes."

Mr Rahman, of Inverness, was giving evidence on the second day of proceedings against Mr Khan, who denies theft and murdering Mr Ahmad.

Mr Khan, of Cardiff, has lodged a special defence of self defence in which he claims that he acted in "self defence" at the time of the alleged murder.

The defence states that the accused had acted in self defence because the deceased had first "attacked" him.

On Thursday, Mr Rahman, of Inverness, told the court that Mr Ahmad was one of four partners who had a controlling stake in the Raj Dulal restaurant.

He said that Mr Ahmad liked to gamble in his spare time and would sometimes share his winnings with staff members.

Mr Rahman, who now owns his own restaurant, said that on one occasion Mr Ahmad gave him a £100 note after he had won a bet.

He said: "He used to be more happy, more jolly if he won a lot of money. He gave me a £100 note on one occasion.

"He was a generous person. He was a happy. I was a young person. I had never seen a £100 note before."

Police investigating Mr Ahmad's death spoke to Mr Rahman last year. He told detectives that Mr Khan, who was a tandoori chef at the restaurant, would accompany him to a casino in Aberdeen.

Mr Rahman said: "He would be more comfortable with Khan there."

The court had earlier heard that Mr Ahmad was seen leaving the Regency Casino in Aberdeen at around 4am on Thursday October 12 or Friday October 13 1978.

Mr Rahman said that on Friday October 13 1978, Mr Khan arrived late for his shift at the restaurant.

Mr Rahman said Mr Khan didn't look well when he arrived at the restaurant.

Speaking of the moment, Mr Khan arrived for work, Mr Rahman said: "I said to him 'chef is looking for you.'

"He ignored me and he left. He was there for around half an hour. Later, I saw him with a black bin bag. He was carrying it over his shoulder.

"I asked him where he was going and he said 'mind your own business and left.

"He didn't look well. He said he had stomach problems.

"He didn't look well. He didn't look right."

The court heard that Mr Rahman told officers investigating Mr Ahmad's death that Mr Khan had told him that he was going to a laundry.

The court heard that the majority of the workers - including Mr Ahmad - were from Bangladesh. However, the court heard that Mr Khan was of Pakistani heritage.

Mr Rahman said the deceased man was an "inspiration" to him.

He added: "I looked up to him for the way he ran the restaurant and how he looked after the people who worked for him.

"The atmosphere was great. He was a very nice boss. He inspired me. I was inspired by him to become a restaurant owner myself."

Prosecutors claim that on October 12 or 13 1978, at the premises of the Raj Dulal restaurant at 11 Dee Street, Aberdeen, Mr Khan stole a kitchen knife.

The Crown also claims that on October 13 1978, in the flat at 54 Rosemount Viaduct, Aberdeen, Mr Khan assaulted Mr Ahmad and tied his wrists behind his back.

Mr Khan then allegedly covered Mr Ahmad's head with an "item of clothing", struck him repeatedly on the neck and body with a knife and that he murdered him and robbed him of a sum of money.

Mr Khan has pleaded not guilty to the charges. His advocate Gary Allan QC had lodged a special defence on behalf of his client.

The trial, which is being heard before judge Lord Beckett, continues.