The International Crimes Tribunal is set to deliver the verdict on Thursday in a crimes against humanity case over killings of seven people, including burning of six bodies in Ashulia during the July uprising.
A three-member bench, headed by ICT-2 Chairman Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, set the date on 1 February. The other two members are Justice Md Manjurul Basit and Justice Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir.
On 20 January, the tribunal kept the case on CAV (curia advisari vult, a Latin legal term meaning the court awaits verdict).
It framed charges on 21 August 2025 against 16 people, of whom eight are in custody. Seven of the 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 July–August uprising in Savar, with one person on 4 August and six on 5 August.
They alleged that the accused committed two offences — the killings and the subsequent burning of six bodies, including one victim who was reportedly alive at that 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 2025, 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.
