Trial begins against ex-DMP chief, 7 others

The trial proceedings have formally begun against eight police officials, including former Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Habibur Rahman, in a case filed over crimes against humanity in connection with the killing of six people, including Anas, during the July uprising in the capital’s Chankharpul area.

A three-member judicial panel of International Crimes Tribunal-1, led by its Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder, passed the order on Monday (July 14). The other members of the tribunal are Justice Md Shafiul Alam Mahmud and Judge Md Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury.

Earlier, the tribunal had fixed July 14 to deliver its decision on charge framing in the case.

According to the formal charges submitted by the prosecution, eight individuals have been accused. During the hearing on charge framing, defense lawyers representing the accused presented their arguments.

Among the accused, four—former DMP Commissioner Habibur Rahman, former Joint Commissioner Sudip Kumar Chakraborty, former Additional Deputy Commissioner of Ramna Zone Shah Alam Md Akhtarul Islam, and former Assistant Commissioner of Ramna Zone Mohammad Imrul—are absconding. State-appointed counsel Md Kutub Uddin filed a petition on behalf of these four seeking their discharge from the case.

The remaining four accused—former Inspector of Shahbagh Police Station Md Arshad Hossain and former constables Md Sujan Hossain, Imaaz Hossain, and Md Nasirul Islam—are currently in custody.