The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-2 is set to deliver its verdict any day in a crimes against humanity case filed over the killing of seven youths and the burning of six of their bodies in Ashulia on 5 August 2024.
Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, head of the three-judge panel, kept the case on CAV (curia advisory vault, a Latin legal term meaning the court awaits verdict) on Tuesday after concluding all legal arguments, signaling that the court is now ready to announce its decision.
The tribunal had framed charges on 21 August 2025 against 16 individuals, of whom eight are in custody.
Seven accused pleaded not guilty, while SI Sheikh Abzalul Haque admitted guilt and became an approver.
The seven defendants who pleaded not guilty include former ASP (Crimes and Operations) Md Abdullahil Kafi, former ASP (Savar Circle) Md Shahidul Islam, former DB inspector Md Arafat Hossain, former sub-inspectors Abdul Malek and Arafat Uddin, former assistant SI Kamrul Hasan, and former constable Mukul Chokder.
Prosecutors said that 29 people were killed during the uprising in Savar, with one person on 4 August and six on 5 August.
They alleged that the accused committed two distinct offences, the killings and the subsequent burning of six bodies, including one victim who was reportedly still alive at the time.
On 16 July, the tribunal ordered public notices in national dailies summoning eight fugitive accused to surrender, warning that the trial would proceed in absentia if they failed to appear.
Arrest warrants have been issued against eight fugitives, including former lawmaker Muhammad Saiful Islam and former deputy inspector general of police Nurul Islam.
The ICT investigation agency submitted its probe report on 19 June, stating that police allegedly transported the victims’ bodies in a van and set them on fire to mislead the public into believing protesters were responsible.
