ICT to deliver verdict on 4 March in case against ex-DMP chief, four others

Staff Reporter:

International Crimes Tribunal-1 has set 4 March to deliver its verdict in a crime against humanity case linked to an incident in Rampura during the anti-discrimination student movement, in which a young man was shot while hanging from a building cornice and two others were killed.

The date was fixed on Sunday by the tribunal, headed by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, prosecutor Gazi M H Tamim confirmed.

The case was filed against former Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner Habibur Rahman and four other former police officers. Former assistant sub-inspector Chanchal Chandra Sarkar of the Rampura police outpost has been arrested and is currently in jail.

The remaining accused-former ADC of Khilgaon Zone Md Rashedul Islam, former OC of Rampura Police Station Md Mashiur Rahman, former SI Tarikul Islam Bhuiyan, and Habibur Rahman-are absconding.

Earlier, on 3 February, both the prosecution and defence concluded their arguments. Chanchal’s lawyer sought his acquittal, while the prosecution pressed for the highest punishment, citing witness statements, video footage, eyewitness accounts, and documentary evidence. Following the hearings, the tribunal set 15 February to announce the verdict date.

Charges were framed against the five accused on 18 September last year, after the prosecution formally submitted the case on 7 August.

According to the case statement, on 19 July 2024, Amir Hossain took shelter in an under-construction building beside Banasree Meradia Road in Rampura. Police allegedly chased him and fired six rounds while he was hanging from the roof cornice, leaving him critically injured. On the same day, two others were killed in police firing in the Banasree area.