Zafar Iqbal, ex DU VC Maksud may face ICT charges

Academic and author Prof Muhammad Zafar Iqbal and former Dhaka University vice-chancellor Prof ASM Maksud Kamal may face charges in a crimes against humanity case linked to the July 2024 Uprising.

The prosecution told the International Crimes Tribunal-2 on Thursday that an investigation into the alleged roles of the two academics was nearing completion.

ICT Prosecutor Gazi Monawar Hossain Tamim said formal charges against several teachers, including Zafar Iqbal and Maksud Kamal, were being prepared.

The charges would be submitted to the tribunal after receiving approval from the chief prosecutor, he added.

Tamim made the remarks while presenting arguments in a crimes against humanity case against Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader and six others. During the hearing, the tribunal asked why Maksud Kamal had not been included in the case despite reports that he had spoken with then-prime minister Sheikh Hasina during the uprising.

Speaking to journalists after the hearing, Tamim said the investigation into the teachers’ alleged involvement had reached its final stage. No formal charges had been filed against the two academics at the time of the prosecutor’s remarks.