Ashulia: The International Crimes Tribunal-2 has set February 5 as the date for delivering its verdict in a case concerning crimes against humanity, specifically the burning of six bodies at Ashulia during the July mass uprising. This decision was made by the tribunal’s three-member bench, chaired by Justice Nazrul Islam, following the conclusion of legal arguments from both the prosecution and defense.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the case implicates former Member of Parliament Muhammad Saiful Islam and 15 others. Of these, eight individuals have been arrested, including former additional superintendents of Dhaka District Police Abdullahil Kafi and Shahidul Islam, Detective Branch inspector Arafat Hossain, sub-inspector Abdul Malek, Arafat Uddin, and constables Mukul Chokdar, Kamrul Hasan, and Sheikh Abzalul Haque.
Formal charges against the 16 accused were framed on August 21, 2024, marking the official commencement of the trial. Notably, Constable Sheikh Abzalul Haque pleaded guilty and was subsequently granted state witness status.
The case stems from an incident on August 5 of the previous year, where six youths were reportedly shot dead by police in Ashulia, after which their bodies were set ablaze on a police van. A video capturing this disturbing event circulated widely on social media, prompting national outrage and aiding the victims’ families in identifying two of the deceased.
The footage reveals several bodies positioned at the rear of a van, with police officers seen placing another body onto the vehicle. Before being set alight, the bodies were covered with soiled clothes and banners sourced from the streets. Investigators concluded that one victim was still alive when the fire was ignited, leading to their death. The case was officially filed with the tribunal on September 11, 2024.