Dhaka: The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 today adjourned till September 7 the hearing in a crimes against humanity case lodged over the killings of six innocent people in the city's Chankharpul area on August 5, 2024. The three-member tribunal headed by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder passed the order, allowing a time plea from the prosecution.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, a total of eight witnesses have testified in the case against eight accused, including former commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Habibur Rahman. Of the eight, four accused have been arrested and are now facing trial in person. They include former officer-in-charge of Shahbagh Police Station Md Arshad Hossain, and constables Md Sujon Miah, Md Imaj Hossain Emon, and Md Nasirul Islam.
Earlier, on August 11, Shahriar Khan Palash, father of martyr Shahriar Khan Anas, testified as the first prosecution witness, narrating incidents of August 5, 2024, when his son and five others were killed in the Chankharpul area. Before his deposition, ICT Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam placed the opening statement in the case.
The first tribunal on July 14 framed charges against the eight accused in relation to the killings in Chankharpul. The prosecution, led by Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam, had earlier argued for framing charges, while defense counsels moved their discharge petitions for their clients.
Advocate Saddam Hossain Ovy argued for Inspector Arshad, Barrister Sifat Mahmud for constable Md Sujon, Advocate Shibli Sadekin for constable Imaj Hossain Emon, Advocate Abul Hasan for constable Nasirul Islam, and state-appointed counsel Advocate Md Kutubuddin defended the four fugitive accused.
The ICT-1 on June 3 ordered authorities to publish a notice asking the four fugitive accused to appear before it. The notice was published the next day, but the fugitives remained absent. The tribunal then appointed Advocate Md Kutubuddin to defend them.
The prosecution on May 25 filed formal charges against the eight in the crimes against humanity case, marking the first formal charge in cases related to the July-August Mass Uprising. The investigation agency filed a 90-page probe report on April 20.