The prosecution of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has received the draft investigation report in a case over the 2013 Shapla Chattar operation during a Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh rally, with former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and former army chief Aziz Ahmed among 41 accused.
ICT Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Aminul Islam confirmed the development on Sunday, saying the report is under review and will be submitted to the tribunal on its scheduled date of 21 July, reports UNB.
“The report is now under review and will be submitted to the International Crimes Tribunal on the scheduled date of July 21,” he said.
The list of accused also includes former Ekattor TV Editor-in-Chief Mozammel Haque Babu, the channel’s former Chief Reporter Farzana Rupa, journalist Shahriar Kabir, the then chiefs of Bangladesh Police and the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and the then commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP).
Earlier on Sunday, a Hefazat-e-Islam delegation led by its Senior Nayeb-e-Ameer Abdul Hamid met the ICT chief prosecutor to inquire about the progress of the case.
The case centres on the events of 5 May 2013, when Hefazat-e-Islam enforced a “Dhaka Blockade” programme in protest over what it alleged were insults to the Holy Quran and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), while also pressing its 13-point demand.
Thousands of religious scholars, madrasa students and supporters gathered in the capital before occupying Shapla Chattar in Motijheel.
Later that night, a joint force operation was launched to disperse the gathering, during which gunfire, tear gas and sound grenades were used. Numerous casualties were reported, although the exact death toll has remained disputed.
The incident remained without trial during the Awami League government’s tenure despite more than a decade passing since the operation.
The case regained prominence after the political changeover on 5 August 2024. Following the July uprising and the formation of the interim government, Hefazat leader Azizul Haque Islamabadi filed a complaint with the ICT against Sheikh Hasina and several others.
The complaint also names a number of former ministers, senior security officials and former police chiefs as accused.
