Dhaka, Jan 26, 2026: The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has convicted and sentenced three former senior police officials, including a former Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) commissioner, to death for the killing of six people in the capital’s Chankharpul area during the August 2024 unrest.
The verdict was delivered on Monday (26 January) by ICT-1, led by Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, along with Justice Md Shafiul Alam Mahmud and retired district and sessions judge Md Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury.
Those sentenced to death are former DMP Commissioner Habibur Rahman, former Joint Commissioner Sudip Kumar Chakraborty, and former Assistant Deputy Commissioner (Ramna Zone) Shah Alam Md Akhtarul Islam. The court noted that all three were absconding at the time the verdict was announced.
In the same case, several other former police officials received prison sentences of varying lengths.
Of them, former Assistant Commissioner of Ramna Zone Mohammad Imrul was sentenced to six years in prison, while former Shahbagh police station inspector Md Arshad Hossain was given a four-year term.
Three former constables—Md Sujon, Imaz Hossain Emon, and Nasirul Islam—were each sentenced to three years in prison. Court sources said Mohammad Imrul is also currently absconding.
This is the second verdict delivered by the tribunal in cases related to crimes against humanity committed during the mass uprising.
Prosecutors alleged that on 5 August 2024, police opened fire on a peaceful student demonstration in the Chankharpul area, resulting in the deaths of six people.
The victims were identified as Shahriar Khan Anas, Sheikh Mahdi Hasan Junaid, Md Yakub, Md Rakib Howlader, Md Ismamul Haque, and Manik Mia Shahrik.
The tribunal formally accepted charges in the case on 25 May last year and issued arrest warrants against four absconding police officers. When the accused failed to appear, despite newspaper notices published in early June, the court framed charges against eight defendants on 14 July and ordered the trial to proceed.
Hearings began in August with opening statements, followed by witness testimonies. After the prosecution and defence completed their arguments, the tribunal initially scheduled the verdict for 20 January, but later postponed it due to procedural delays, according to prosecutors.
Earlier, on 17 November last year, the tribunal delivered its first verdict related to the July movement.
In that case, former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan were sentenced to death. Former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun received a five-year prison sentence after admitting guilt and testifying as a state witness.
No comments: