Dhaka: The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 is set to announce its judgment tomorrow in a highly anticipated case concerning crimes against humanity related to the killings of six individuals in Dhaka's Chankharpul area on August 5, 2024. Prosecution sources have indicated that the judgment will be broadcast live on BTV.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the tribunal scheduled the verdict date on December 24, 2025, following the conclusion of the defense's arguments. Previously, charges were framed against eight accused individuals on July 14, 2025, in connection with these killings. The accused include former Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) officials: Commissioner Habibur Rahman, Joint Commissioner Sudip Kumar Chakraborty, Additional Deputy Commissioner Shah Alam Mohammad Akhtarul Islam, Assistant Commissioner of DMP's Ramna Zone Mohammad Imrul, Inspector Md Arshad Hossain, and constables Md Sujon, Imaj Hossain Emon, and Nasirul Islam.
The first four accused remain at large and are being tried in absentia. The prosecution commenced its case on August 11, 2025, with legal representation for the accused provided by Advocate 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 the four fugitive accused.
In an earlier development on June 3, the tribunal ordered notices to be published in two national dailies, requesting the appearance of the four fugitive accused. Despite publication the following day, the accused did not appear, leading to the appointment of state defense counsel. The prosecution had formally charged all eight accused on May 25, marking the first formal charge filed at the ICT in cases arising from the July-August mass uprising.
The victims, identified as Shahriar Khan Anas, Sheikh Mahdi Hasan Zunayed, Md Yakub, Md Rakib Hawlader, Md Ismamul Haque, and Manik Miah, were killed on August 5, 2024, in Chankharpul. The tribunal's investigation agency submitted a comprehensive 90-page probe report on April 20, 2025.