The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 framed charges against eight against individuals — including former Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Habibur Rahman — in a case concerning crimes against humanity for the killing of six people in the Chankharpul area of Dhaka during the July uprising last year.
Through framing charges, trial in the case begins formally.
The charges were officially framed Monday by International Crimes Tribunal-1, headed by Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Mojumder. The two other members of the tribunal are Justice Md. Shafiul Alam Mahmud and Judge Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury.
Rejecting the defendants’ petitions for discharge, the tribunal ordered that the case would proceed against all eight accused. The charges stem from the fatal shooting of six individuals in Chan Kharpul on August 5, 2024, during a period of intense political unrest.
Besides former DMP Commissioner Habibur Rahman, the other accused include, former Joint Commissioner Sudip Kumar Chakraborty, former Additional Deputy Commissioner of Ramna Zone Shah Alam Md. Akhtarul Islam, former Assistant Commissioner of Ramna Zone Mohammad Imrul, former Shahbagh Police Station Inspector Md. Arshad Hossain,
constables Md. Sujan Hossain, Imaz Hossain and Md. Nasirul Islam
Among the accused, the first four — all senior police officials — remain absconding, while the remaining four have been arrested and were produced before the tribunal on Monday.
The tribunal has set August 10 as the date for opening statements, during which the prosecution will outline the key aspects of the case. Witness testimonies are scheduled to begin on August 11.
This case marks a rare instance of high-ranking law enforcement officials being prosecuted for alleged crimes against humanity, signaling a turning point in accountability efforts related to political violence in Bangladesh.
