The International Crimes Tribunal-2 on Monday began hearing charges of crimes against humanity against former Begum Rokeya University vice-chancellor Hasibur Rashid Bachchu and 29 others for the murder of Abu Sayeed during the July 2024 uprising.
Abu Sayeed, a student of English at the university, was shot dead near the university gate on July 16, 2024, during the students鈥� protests against discrimination.
His death sparked nationwide protests that eventually turned into the student-led mass uprising to oust then prime minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5, 2024.
The three-member tribunal of retired High Court judge Nozrul Islam Chowdhury, retired district judge Md Manjurul Basid and judge Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir adjourned the hearing till today after hearing submissions from chief prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam.
Four lawyers appointed by the tribunal will defend 24 of the accused who are still in hiding.
The prosecution submitted formal charges against the 30 on July 1.
During the hearing, defence lawyer Azizur Rahman Dulu sought a seven-day adjournment for preparing arguments for his client, constable Sujan Chandra Roy.
The tribunal rejected the request and warned him against delaying the trial. The prosecution told the tribunal that Dulu had repeatedly refused to accept certified copies of documents related to his client and only received them on Monday after being asked.
The tribunal ruled that Dulu might present his arguments only after all other defence submissions.
Six of the accused are currently in custody. They are the university proctor Shariful Islam, staff members Anwar Parvez Appel and Rafiul Hasan Rasel, police sub-inspector Amir Hossain, constable Sujan Chandra Roy and banned Bangladesh Chhatra League leader Imran Chowdhury Akash.
Nine other staff of the university 鈥� former vice-chancellor Hasibur Rashid Bachchu, associate professors Md Mashiur Rahman and Asaduzzaman Mondol Asad, assistant registrar Md Hafizur Rahman Tufan, section officer Md Moniruzzaman Palash and MLSS Mohammad Nurunnabi Mandal, Nur-e-Alam Mia, Mahabubar Rahman Babu and AKM Amir Hossain Amu 鈥� are still in hiding.
Six fugitive police officers members are former Rangpur Metropolitan Police commissioner Md Moniruzzaman Beltu, former deputy commissioner Md Abu Maruf Hossain Titu, former additional deputy commissioner Md Shah Noor Alam Patwari Suman, former assistant commissioner Md Arifuzzaman Jibon, former Tajhat police station officer-in-charge Rabiul Islam Nayan and university police camp in-charge sub-inspector Bibhuti Bhushan Roy Madhav.
Eight absconding Chhatra League leaders are BRUR unit president Pomel Barua, vice-presidents Fazzle Rabbi alias Glorious Fazle Rabbi and Md Akhtar Hossan, general secretary Md Mahafuzur Rahman Shamim, joint secretary Masudul Hasan Masud, organising secretaries Sejan Ahmed Arif and Dhanojoy Kumar Tagor and office secretary Babul Hossain.
The rest fugitive is Dr Sarowat Hossain Chandan, a forensic expert and member of the pro-Awami League doctors鈥� association Swadhinata Chikitsak Parishad, who allegedly falsified the post-mortem report.
