Hanif to get verdict 29 Oct in Kushtia murder case

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) will deliver its verdict on October 29 in a case against four people, including Awami League Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif, over the killing of six people in Kushtia during the July 2024 uprising.

The three-member ICT-2, headed by Justice Nozrul Islam Chowdhury, set the date on Tuesday.
On October 7, the tribunal concluded hearing arguments on legal points in the case and kept the verdict pending for a later date.

The other accused are former Kushtia Zila Parishad chairman Sadar Uddin Khan, Kushtia district Awami League General Secretary Asgar Ali and the general secretary of Kushtia municipality Awami League. All four accused are absconding.

They face three charges linked to the suppression of the July uprising and the killing of six people in Kushtia.

The allegations include supporting statements and positions taken by Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader to suppress the movement, ordering the killing of students and members of the public, and conspiring at a meeting in Kushtia on July 29, 2024, before becoming involved in the killings.

Hanif is also accused of directing local police officials, public representatives and party activists over the telephone to carry out the killings.

The prosecution has sought the maximum punishment for all four accused.

The prosecution formally submitted the charges against them on October 5 last year. The tribunal took cognisance of the charges the following day and issued arrest warrants against the accused.

On November 2 last year, the tribunal framed charges against the four and ordered the start of the formal trial.