The International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1) has fixed 20 January to deliver the verdict against eight accused, including former Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Habibur Rahman, in a crimes against humanity case over the killing of six people during a peaceful student protest in Chankharpul on August 5, 2024.
A three-member bench of ICT-1 led by Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder issued the order on Wednesday. The other members of the panel are Justice Md Shafiul Alam Mahmud and retired district and sessions Judge Md Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury.
During the hearings, lawyer Md Ziaur Rashid represented accused police constable Imaz Hossain Imon, while state defence counsel Qutubuddin Ahmed argued on behalf of four absconding accused.
Prosecutor Mizanul Islam, assisted by prosecutors Shahidul Islam, Abdullah Al Noman, and others, presented counter arguments on behalf of the prosecution.
Four of the accused, including former Shahbagh police inspector (operations) Md Arshad Hossain, constables Md Sujon Mia and Md Nasirul Islam, and Md Imaz Hossain Imon, are in custody and appeared before the tribunal under tight security.
The remaining four-former DMP commissioner Habibur Rahman, former joint commissioner Sudip Kumar Chakrabarty, former Ramna additional deputy commissioner Shah Alam Md Akhtarul Islam, and former assistant commissioner Md Imrul, are currently absconding.
The tribunal formally framed charges against all eight accused on 14 July this year and ordered the trial to begin. The prosecution previously argued that the killings, which took place on 5 August, 2024, during a peaceful student protest in Chankharpul, were carried out under the direct instructions of then DMP commissioner Habibur Rahman. The prosecution has sought the maximum punishment for all eight accused.
Over 23 working days, statements of 26 witnesses were recorded, including the chief investigating officer Md Monirul Islam, whose testimony was cross-examined by both the prosecution and defence.
The incident left six people dead, including Shahriar Khan Anas, Sheikh Junayed, Md Yakub, Md Rakib Howlader, Md Ismamul Haque, and Manik Mia, and sparked widespread outrage across the capital.
