Staff Reporter :
Formal trial proceedings have commenced in the first case related to the July uprising, with the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) accepting charges against eight individuals – including former Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Habibur Rahman Habib – over the fatal shooting of six people in the capital’s Chan Kharpul area on 5 August.
The incident occurred amid widespread unrest following the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Among the victims was student activist Shaheed Anas, who was reportedly among those shot dead during the student-public uprising.
According to Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim, the investigation concluded on 21 April, and the next phase of the trial will commence once the tribunal formally admits the charges.
Of the eight accused, Inspector Arshad, and Constables Md. Sujon, Imaaz Hossain Imon, and Nasirul Islam are currently in custody. The remaining four – former DMP Commissioner Habibur Rahman, former Joint Commissioner Sudip Kumar Chakrabarti, former Ramna Zone ADC Shah Alam Md. Aktarul Islam, and Assistant Commissioner Md. Imrul – remain at large.
On 11 April, Chief Prosecutor Advocate Tazul Islam alleged that the killings were executed at the field level by the accused under direct instructions from then-Commissioner Habibur Rahman. He further claimed that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal were “implicated” in the events, although they have not been named as accused in this case.
A separate investigation is currently underway concerning their alleged “superior command responsibility”.
According to Advocate Islam, the charge sheet includes descriptions of the roles played by the former prime minister and home minister in the coordination and issuance of orders.
He stated that, under Sheikh Hasina’s direct instruction, members of the security forces – along with leaders and activists from the Awami League and its allied organisations – carried out the operation in Chan Kharpul.
The tribunal is expected to review the charge sheet in the coming days, with proceedings set to continue against those in custody while efforts are made to apprehend the absconding accused.
