Shapla Chattar Massacre: Ex-DIG wishes to turn state witness
Former police DIG Abdul Jalil Mondal has expressed his desire to become a state witness in the case filed over the massacre that occurred at Hefazat-e-Islam’s grand rally at Shapla Chattar. On Wednesday, defense lawyer Mohammad Ali Haidar informed the matter during the hearing at International Crimes Tribunal-1.
On this day, lawyer Mohammad Ali Haidar argued for bail for the former police officer at the Tribunal. During the hearing, he appeared before the three-member judicial panel led by Tribunal-1 Chairman Justice Md. Golam Mortuja Majumdar and informed the court that his client is willing to become a state witness in this case of crimes against humanity. However, after detailed review, the Tribunal rejected his bail application.
The lawyer told the Tribunal: “My client Abdul Jalil Mondal has been ill for a long time. He is 60 years old. At the time of the Shapla Chattar incident, he was serving as Additional Police Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP).
However, he has no involvement with this incident. Additionally, seven blockages have been found in his heart. We are seeking bail for his advanced medical treatment.”
At this point, the Tribunal stated that according to the health report, his condition is not critical. In this context, the court dismissed the bail application. At the same time, an example was given of a judge who regularly conducts judicial proceedings despite having 17-18 blockages in his heart.
It is worth mentioning that Abdul Jalil Mondal has served in various important positions in the police force. At one time he served as Commissioner of Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP), and during the Hefazat movement at Shapla Chattar, he served as Additional Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP). He also served as Additional Director General (Administration) of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).
Earlier, on March 31, the court ordered this former police officer to be sent to prison after showing him arrested in this case. On the evening of March 30, he was arrested by Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Police (DB) from the Sabujbagh area of the capital.
