Dhaka: The International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1) has scheduled the indictment hearing for a crimes against humanity case on September 11. The case pertains to a police firing incident involving a student hanging from the cornice of a building in Rampura, which took place on July 19, 2024.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, who chairs the three-judge ICT-1 panel, has ordered the publication of notices in newspapers. These notices direct four fugitive accused, including former Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) commissioner Habibur Rahman, to appear and face trial. The tribunal has also approved the appointment of state defense counsel to represent the absconding accused, following requests from the prosecution.
The prosecution filed a formal charge in the case on August 7, accusing the police of firing on a student hanging from a building's cornice in Rampura and the killing of two others in the area. Five individuals have been accused in the case: former DMP commissioner Habibur Rahman, former additional deputy commissioner of DMP's Khilgaon division Md Rashedul Islam, former officer-in-charge of Rampura Police Station Md Moshiur Rahman, former sub-inspector Tarikul Islam Bhuiyan, and former assistant sub-inspector Chanchal Chandra Sarkar of Rampura police outpost. Among them, Chanchal Chandra Sarkar has been arrested and is facing trial in person.
Case documents reveal that on July 19, 2024, Amir Hossain, the victim, was returning home after Jummah prayers when he became embroiled in clashes between protesters and police. Seeking refuge, he fled to the fourth floor of an under-construction building, where police reportedly chased protesters and ordered Amir to jump at gunpoint. A policeman fired shots to intimidate him, leading Amir to hang from a rod. Subsequently, a policeman on the third floor fired six bullets, striking Amir's legs. After the police departed, Amir descended to the third floor, bleeding heavily.
He was rescued approximately three hours later by a student and two doctors and was initially taken to a local hospital before being transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Amir Hossain survived the incident. The accused are also facing allegations related to the deaths of two others in the Rampura area on the same day.