The International Crimes Tribunal-2 has set September 16 to deliver its order on whether to frame charges against 26 people, including former Dhaka-18 MP Mohammad Habib Hasan, over the alleged killing of 11 people in Uttara during the July Uprising.
The victims included Mir Mahfuzur Rahman Mugdha, whose killing during the 2024 uprising drew widespread attention.
The tribunal fixed the date on Wednesday after concluding the hearing on charge framing in the case involving allegations of crimes against humanity.
Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim appeared for the prosecution, while Advocate M Liton Ahmed represented the accused.
State-appointed lawyers Md Amir Hossain and M Hasan Imam represented the fugitives.
The prosecution alleges that 11 people were killed in Uttara on 18 and 19 July 2024, during the uprising.
Eight of the accused are currently in custody, while 18 others, including former Dhaka-18 MP Habib Hasan and former DMP commissioner Habibur Rahman, remain absconding.
Those in custody include former additional deputy commissioner of DMP’s Uttara Division Mirza Salahuddin, former Uttara East Police Station OC Md Mujibur Rahman, former Azampur Police Outpost constable Md Hossain Ali, Uttara West thana Awami League president Monowar Islam Chowdhury Robin and Jubo League leader Md Delwar Hossain Rubel.
Awami League leader Md Sohel Rana, Ward Swechchhasebak League vice-president Md Shah Alam and Turag thana Awami League activist Md Irfanul Haque Gazi are also in custody.
The 18 fugitives include former DMP commissioner Habibur Rahman, former DMP Uttara Division deputy commissioner Kazi Ashraful Azim, former additional deputy commissioner Md Tohidul Islam, former assistant commissioner Sumon Kar and former Uttara West Police Station OC BM Farman Ali.
Former Uttara East Police Station inspector (operations) Mahmudul Hasan, former constable Md Abu Chhayem, former SI Khaled Anwar and former ASI Md Rokonuzzaman are also among the fugitives.
The remaining accused include former Dhaka North City Corporation councillors Jahangir Hossain alias Juboraj, Md Farid Ahmed, DM Shamim, Md Anisur Rahman Naim and Md Afsar Uddin Khan.
Awami League leader Md Alauddin Al Sohel, former Uttara West thana Chhatra League vice-president Murtafa Bin Omar alias Sathi and Turag thana Jubo League leader Zakir Hossain alias Mithu are also accused in the case.
According to the prosecution, BUP student Mir Mahfuzur Rahman Mugdha was helping injured protesters get to hospitals and distributing water and biscuits among protesters in Sector 3 of Uttara on 18 July when he was shot.
Other protesters took him to Uttara Crescent Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
Prosecutor Tamim said the case covers alleged killings along the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway and surrounding areas of Uttara on 18 and 19 July. The prosecution has brought two separate charges in the case.
The first charge relates to the alleged killings on 18 July. Besides Mugdha, Jahiduzzaman Tanvin, Sheikh Fahmin Jafar, Md Shakil Hossain, Md Sabbir Hossain and Sajib Sarker were allegedly shot dead that day, according to the prosecution.
The prosecution also alleged that Uber driver Mokhlesur Rahman Durjoy was killed after being run over by the rear wheel of an APC in Uttara.
The second charge concerns the alleged killings on 19 July. The prosecution said Ridwan Sharif, Md Chhabbir Islam, Md Asadullah and Naima Sultana were shot dead in Uttara that day.
The tribunal will announce its decision on 16 September on whether charges will be formally framed against the 26 accused.
