The International Crimes Tribunal prosecution on Sunday formally pressed charges of crimes against humanity against former Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner Habibur Rahman, four of his subordinate officers, and three constables over the killing of six protesters at Chankharpool in the capital during the July 2024 mass uprising.
The accused include former DMP joint commissioner Sudip Kumar Chakraborty, former Ramna assistant deputy commissioner Shah Alam Md Akhterul Islam, former Ramna assistant commissioner Mohammad Imrul, Shahbagh police station inspector (operations) Ashrad Hossain, and suspended constables Sujan Hossain, Imaz Hossain Imon, and Nasirul Islam.
The ICT-1, led by Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder, took cognisance of the charges and fixed June 3 for the appearance of the accused.
A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Habibur Rahman, who remains absconding.
This is the first case brought under the tribunal鈥檚 new jurisdiction of trying the July mass uprising perpetrators following its聽 reconstitution by the interim government that assumed office on August 8, 2024 after the ouster of then prime minister Sheikh Hasina in a student-led uprising.
According to the charge sheet, the former DMP chief and his officers allegedly ordered, abetted, and facilitated the killings while the constables carried out the shootings that left six people dead during a protest on August 5, 2024.
The six victims killed at Chankharpool were identified as Shahriar Khan Anas, a class-10 student who left behind a poignant letter to his mother, Sheikh Mahadi Hasan Zunayed, widely known as Mostakin, Mohammad Yakib, Md Rakib Hawlader, Mohammad Ismail Haque, and Manik Mia, also known as Saharik Chowdhury.
Anas, the very young student, left his Gandaria residence that morning after writing, 鈥業 cannot stay at home while people from all walks of life have joined the July uprising,鈥� according to the tribunal investigator.
The tribunal has listed 43 witnesses in the case, including Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain, adviser for the ministry of local government, rural development and cooperatives, who was also a co-coordinator of the protest movement.
According to investigators, Asif led a procession at Chankharpool on August 5, aiming to join a larger rally at the Central Shaheed Minar demanding the resignation of Sheikh Hasina.
The investigation report, submitted by deputy director Mohammad Monirul Islam of the tribunal鈥檚 investigation agency in April, includes video evidence and witness testimony implicating Armed Police Battalion member Md Sujan Hossain that he directly opened fire on protesters near Borhanuddin College.
Prosecutors said that Sujan had fired from multiple positions under direct orders from his superior officers.
The charge sheet also said that police took no action to prevent attacks carried out by Awami League activists and affiliated groups against the peaceful protests of the Student Movement Against Discrimination on the Dhaka University campus on July 14 鈥� just hours after Sheikh Hasina labelled the protesters as 鈥榮ons and grandsons of Razakars鈥�.
Similarly, no preventive steps were taken during coordinated processions held at 16 key points across the capital on July 16. Instead, on the reported instructions of then DMP commissioner Habibur Rahman, subordinate officers allegedly aided and facilitated the attacks by Awami League supporters, while deliberately refraining from intervening to protect the demonstrators.
The eight accused have been charged under Sections 3(2)(a), 3(2)(g), 3(2)(h), 4(1), 4(2), and 4(3) of the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973.
According to Section 3(2)(a) of the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973, crimes against humanity include inhumane acts committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against any civilian population, with knowledge of the attack. This also covers persecution on political grounds, and extends to attempts, abetment, conspiracy, or incitement to commit such crimes.
Under Section 3(2)(h), individuals may also be held liable for complicity in, or failure to prevent, the commission of such crimes.
Section 4(2) stipulates that any person鈥攚hether an individual, part of a group, or a member of a disciplined force, auxiliary force, or intelligence agency鈥攕hall bear criminal responsibility and be liable to punishment for crimes under the tribunal鈥檚 jurisdiction if proven culpable.
Moreover, Section 4(3) holds any commander, superior officer, or leader criminally responsible if they order, permit, acquiesce, incite, or participate in the commission of crimes listed under Section 3, or are associated with any plan relating to such crimes.
Upon conviction, the ICT is empowered to impose the death penalty or any other punishment it deems just and proportionate to the gravity of the crime committed.
Prosecutor Shahidul Islam Sarkar told 抖阴精品 that the tribunal will proceed to summon fugitive accused through newspaper notices at the next hearing.
Once charges are formally framed, the prosecution will present opening statements and begin recording depositions of witnesses.
This case is part of a broader investigation into the atrocities committed during the July鈥揂ugust 2024 mass uprising.
On May 11, the Investigation Agency submitted a separate report implicating Sheikh Hasina, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan, and former inspector general of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun for their alleged roles in orchestrating violence across the country during the uprising.
According to prosecution sources, over 1,500 people were killed and more than 25,000 received bullet injuries during the nationwide movement. Formal charges against Hasina and others are expected to be filed in early June.
Though Hasina, Asaduzzaman, and Mamun have been named conspirators and planners behind the Chankharpool killings, they have not been included in this particular case.
Prosecutors said that they would be charged separately in other cases.
At least 35 cases are now being probed over July uprising, enforced disappearances, and other crimes during the 15 years of the AL regimes.