Dhaka: Complainants used to come up with complaints such as family disputes, land disagreements, and employment-related issues to the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), which are not within the tribunal’s jurisdiction. ICT officials viewed the rise of complaints beyond its jurisdiction and the unrelated allegations as a reflection of the people’s confidence in the tribunal.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim stated, “Many common people are unaware of the tribunal’s specific task. As a result, they sometimes submit complaints that are not within our jurisdiction.” He continued, “We’ve received complaints about family disputes, marital separations, land ownership issues, and employment-related grievances. Since these matters don’t fall under crimes against humanity, we do not pursue investigations into them.” Tamim added that they take all these applications as something normal, indicating a possible trust in the tribunal.
The ICT was formed to investigate and prosecute individuals responsible for crimes against humanity committed during Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War. Since its inception in 2010, several convictions have been handed down, with some already witnessing executions. Currently, the tribunal is handling cases related to crimes committed during the July-August uprising of student-public.
According to the data provided by the prosecution, a total of 339 complaints have been filed, including crimes against humanity committed during the July-August uprising. The ICT has so far received 339 allegations, and as per the complaint registrar, the probe body is investigating 39 cases. A total of 22 miscellaneous cases have been filed so far against 141 people, 54 of whom have been arrested, while the remaining 87 are fugitives with outstanding arrest warrants.
ICT Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam mentioned that probe reports of the cases filed over the torching of bodies in Ashulia, the Chankharpul massacre, the shooting of a youth dangling from an under-construction building in Rampura, and one against the ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, are almost ready and will be filed with the tribunal in the shortest possible time. “We expect to submit the investigation reports for these cases to the tribunal shortly,” he said, adding that once accepted, the formal trial process will begin without delay.