Dhaka: The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 has charged eight individuals in connection to heinous crimes against humanity, specifically the murder of six people in Chankharpul on August 5, 2024. The tribunal, consisting of a three-member panel led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, reached the decision after a comprehensive hearing.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the prosecution, led by Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam, pushed for the charges on July 3, while defense counsels submitted petitions for discharge on behalf of their clients. Arguments in defense of the accused were presented by various advocates: Saddam Hossain Ovy for Inspector Arshad, Barrister Sifat Mahmud for constable Md Sujon, Advocate Shibli Sadekin for constable Imaj Hossain Emon, and Advocate Abul Hasan for constable Nasirul Islam. State-appointed counsel Advocate Md Kutubuddin represented four fugitives in the tribunal.
On June 3, ICT-1 directed relevant authorities to publish notices in two national newspapers, summoning the four fugitives to appear before the tribunal. The fugitives, identified as former Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Habibur Rahman, former DMP Joint Commissioner Sudip Kumar Chakraborty, former Additional Deputy Commissioner Shah Alam Mohammad Akhtarul Islam, and former Assistant Commissioner of Ramna Zone of DMP Mohammad Imrul, did not comply, leading to the appointment of Advocate Md Kutubuddin to defend them.
The formal charges were initially filed by the prosecution on May 25, marking the first formal charge submission to ICT in cases related to the July-August mass uprising. The victims, Shahriar Khan Anas, Sheikh Mahdi Hasan Zunayed, Md Yakub, Md Rakib Hawlader, Md Ismamul Haque, and Manik Miah, were killed during the unrest in Chankharpul.
The tribunal’s investigation agency completed a 90-page report on April 20, following six months and 13 days of investigation. The report includes testimonies from 79 witnesses, 19 video footages, 11 newspaper articles, two audio files, 11 books or reports, and six death certificates.