Staff Reporter :
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has ordered the commencement of trial proceedings against former Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Habibur Rahman and four others in a crimes against humanity case linked to the July Uprising.
The charges involve the shooting of a student hanging from a building ledge in Rampura and the killing of two others in the same area.
On Thursday, a three-member bench of Tribunal-1 led by Justice Golam Mortuza Majumdar framed formal charges and issued arrest warrants against four absconding accused, including the former commissioner. The court fixed 16 October for opening statements.
Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam appeared for the prosecution, while state-appointed counsel Md Amir Hossain represented the absconding defendants.
Advocate Sarwar Jahan Nippon defended the lone arrested accused, former assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Chanchal Chandra Sarker.
The Accused
Apart from Habibur Rahman, the absconding accused are:
Md Rashedul Islam, former additional deputy commissioner (ADC) of Khilgaon Zone, DMP
Md Moshiur Rahman, former officer-in-charge (OC) of Rampura Police Station
SI Torikul Islam Bhuiyan, former sub-inspector of Rampura Police Station
The only detained accused is Chanchal Chandra Sarker, a former ASI at the Rampura police outpost.
Background of the Case.
On 7 August, Prosecutor Faruk Ahmed submitted the formal charges, following the investigation report filed on 31 July by the Chief Prosecutor’s Office.
Earlier, the tribunal had directed the publication of notices in newspapers (25 August) to secure the appearance of the fugitives, and on 1 September appointed state defense lawyers on their behalf.
Incident of 19 July 2024
The charges stem from the events of 19 July 2024, when protester Amir Hossain was returning home after Juma prayers amid clashes in Rampura.
According to his account, police opened fire, forcing him to seek refuge on the fourth floor of an under-construction building.
Police chased him upstairs, threatening him at gunpoint and ordering him to jump. To frighten him, officers even fired warning shots.
In desperation, Amir clung to construction rods outside the building. From the third floor, an officer then fired six shots at him, striking both his legs.
Amir fell but managed to survive, bleeding heavily. He was rescued nearly three hours later by fellow students and doctors, who took him first to a local hospital and then to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
The prosecution also alleges that two more people were shot dead in front of the same building on the same day.
Next Steps
The tribunal has scheduled 16 October for the presentation of opening arguments.
Meanwhile, arrest warrants remain in force against the four absconding accused.
