Dhaka: The deposition recording in the body burning case, which involves the shooting of six individuals during the mass uprising in Ashulia last year, is set to commence at the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-2 tomorrow. The tribunal, led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, scheduled the deposition recording following a petition submitted by Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam earlier today.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Chief Prosecutor delivered an introductory speech on behalf of the prosecution team of the ICT. In this case, seven out of the eight accused have claimed innocence, while former Sub-Inspector of Ashulia Thana, Sheikh Afzalul Haque, expressed his desire to be a state approver after providing a confessional statement. The tribunal has accepted his confession but has yet to respond to his petition to become a state approver.
The tribunal had previously accepted formal charges against 16 accused in the case on July 2 and framed charges against them on August 21, initiating the trial proceedings. During the hearing, eight of the accused appeared before the tribunal. These include former additional superintendent (Crime and Ops) of Dhaka District Police Md Abdullahil Kafi, former additional superintendent of police (Savar circle) Md Shahidul Islam, Inspector Arafat Hossain, SI Malek, SI Arafat Uddin, SI Sheikh Afzalul Haque, assistant sub-inspector Kamrul Hassan, and constable Mukul.
Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam has accused the police personnel of attempting to burn the bodies of six youths on a police van after fatally shooting them on August 5, 2024. Additionally, they reportedly poured petrol on a living youth and set him on fire. A case was filed on September 11 of last year against 16 individuals for their alleged involvement in these crimes against humanity.