The prosecution’s arguments in the crimes against humanity case filed over the killing of two people, including shooting Amir Hossain who was hanging from a roof cornice in Rampura, Dhaka, during the July mass uprising, have concluded.
In this case, the prosecution has demanded the maximum punishment for five accused, including former DMP commissioner Habibur Rahman.
On Thursday, the arguments were presented at the three-member International Crimes Tribunal-1, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder. Prosecutors Mizanul Islam and Gazi MH Tamim presented arguments for the prosecution.
The court has scheduled 3 February for the defense to present their arguments.
During the arguments, the prosecution stated that, like across the country, the police force of the then government carried out widespread killings in Rampura during the July-August movement. On 19 July 2024, Amir Hossain, who was unarmed, was targeted and shot, which is clearly a crime against humanity.
Additionally, two more people were martyred. These killings were carried out under the direct orders of senior police officials. The involvement of the five accused in this case has been clearly proven through evidence, video footage, eyewitness testimonies, and documents.
There are 5 accused in this case, including former DMP commissioner Habibur Rahman. They are former additional deputy commissioner (ADC) of DMP Khilgaon Zone Md Rashedul Islam, former Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Rampura Police Station Md Mashiur Rahman, former Sub-Inspector (SI) of Rampura Police Station Tariqul Islam Bhuiyan, and then ASI of Rampura Police Outpost Chanchal Chandra Sarkar.
Among them, Chanchal Chandra Sarkar has been arrested.
Earlier, in this case, the court formally framed charges on 18 September last year. Through this, the trial of the case formally began.
On 7 August last year, prosecutor Faruq Ahmad submitted the formal charges on behalf of the prosecution. On 31 July, the investigating agency submitted the investigation report of this case to the office of the chief prosecutor.
During the mass uprising, on 19 July 2024, Amir Hossain was returning home after offering Jumma prayers. Near his home, he got caught up in clashes. At that time, police started firing. Amir Hossain ran and took shelter on the fourth floor of an under-construction building.
At one point, chasing the protesters, police went up to the fourth floor of the building. Finding Amir Hossain there, police members aimed firearms at him and repeatedly told him to jump down. One police member fired several shots to scare him.
Frightened, Amir Hossain jumped and hung onto the rods of the under-construction building. Then, a police member from the third floor fired six shots targeting Amir Hossain. The bullets hit both of Amir’s legs.
Later, after the police left, Amir Hossain jumped and somehow fell onto the third floor. At that time, blood was dripping from both his legs. Later, Amir Hossain was rescued and taken to a local hospital.
He barely survived the incident. Additionally, on the same day, Nadim and Maya Islam were killed by police gunfire in the Banashree area of Rampura.
