Shapla Chattar Massacre: Deadline for probe report extended again

The deadline for submitting the investigation report in the case over the alleged killings, torture, and crimes against humanity during the Shapla Chattar crackdown 2013 has been extended by another two months.

The International Crimes Tribunal Bangladesh has set June 7 as the next date for submitting the report against the accused, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The order was issued on Sunday (April 5) by a two-member bench of the tribunal led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, with Justice Md Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury as the other member. Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim sought additional time for submitting the investigation report, which the tribunal granted.

Earlier in the day, six arrested accused were produced before the tribunal. They include former State Minister for Home Affairs Shamsul Haque Tuku, retired Major General Ziaul Ahsan, former Inspector General of Police AKM Shahidul Haque, former Deputy Inspector General Mollah Nazrul Islam, writer and activist Shahriar Kabir, and former DIG Abdul Jalil Mondal.

The case stems from the May 5, 2013 incident at Shapla Chattar in Dhaka’s Motijheel area, where a Hefazat-e-Islam rally allegedly faced a violent crackdown. The complaint was filed with the tribunal by Hefazat leader Azizul Haque, on behalf of leaders including Junayed Al Habib and Mamunul Haque, accusing a total of 21 individuals.

Several other prominent political figures and officials have also been named as accused in the case, many of whom are facing separate charges in related proceedings.