Dhaka: The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Thursday ordered that former minister Dr. Dipu Moni, and journalists Mozammel Babu and Farzana Rupa be shown arrested in a case filed over the 2013 Shapla Chattar massacre during a rally of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh. The ICT-1, chaired by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, passed the order, sending the accused to jail in connection with the case.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the tribunal earlier ordered the authorities to produce the accused on May 14, following petitions filed by the prosecution. Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim alleged that during the May 5, 2013 crackdown at Shapla Chattar, Dipu Moni, then serving as foreign minister, allegedly promoted internationally that law enforcers had ‘eliminated a group of unruly people.’ He further claimed that Mozammel Babu and Farzana Rupa portrayed Hefazat’s grand rally as provocative in broadcast and allegedly diverted the narrative regarding the Shapla Chattar killings.
The tribunal has scheduled June 7 for the submission of the investigation report in the ongoing case. Previously, six others, including former Inspector General of Police Shahidul Hoque and dismissed Major General Ziaul Ahsan, were arrested in connection with the case. ICT Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam alleged the journalists played a role in hiding information related to the deaths.
On May 5, 2013, Hefazat launched the ‘Dhaka Blockade’ programme, protesting alleged insults to the Holy Quran and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and pressing for its 13-point agenda. Thousands gathered in Dhaka, occupying the Shapla Chattar area in Motijheel. A late-night operation dispersed the gathering amid gunfire, tear gas, and sound grenades, with disputed casualty figures.
Various organisations have provided different estimates of the death toll. Hefazat published a list of 93 victims in 2025, while human rights group Odhikar reported 61 names in 2021. A 2014 publication titled ‘Shahidnama’ documented 41 deaths. Despite the passage of 13 years since the incident, the trial remains incomplete.
The issue resurfaced following political changes on August 5, 2024. Following the July uprising and formation of an interim government, Hefazat leader Azizul Haque Islamabadi filed a complaint with the ICT naming Sheikh Hasina and several others as accused. The complaint also includes former ministers, senior security officials, and police chiefs.