Dhaka: The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 has scheduled July 10 for the issuance of an indictment order in a crimes against humanity case involving former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and two other high-profile figures. This case is centered around their alleged roles in the grievous crimes perpetrated during the July-August mass uprising.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the other individuals implicated in the case are former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun. The tribunal's three-member panel, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, announced the date after both prosecution and defense concluded their hearings on the matter.
Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam represented the prosecution, advocating for charges to be framed against the three accused. On the defense side, Advocate Amir Hossain, representing Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, argued for their discharge, while Advocate Zayed Bin-Amjad defended Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who was present in court.
The prosecution initiated its arguments for charge framing on July 1. On that day, Chief Prosecutor Islam outlined the five charges against the accused and reiterated the call for formal indictments. Previously, on June 17, ICT-1 had publicized notices in two national dailies, instructing Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to surrender by June 24.
Despite these notices, the two accused failed to appear, prompting the tribunal to proceed with the charge framing hearing. Earlier actions by the tribunal included ordering publication of surrender notices and taking cognizance of formal charges on June 1.
The charges, filed by the prosecution, encompass accusations of crimes against humanity and mass killings. The ICT's investigation agency submitted its probe report on May 12, marking a critical step in this high-profile case.