Chattra Dal leader murder case: Saber Hossain, 62 others accused at tribunal

A charge sheet has been filed against 62 individuals, including former Awami League MP Saber Hossain Chowdhury and former Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia, in connection with the alleged murder of Chhatra Dal leader Nuruzzaman Jony nearly a decade ago.

The charge sheet was submitted on Sunday (June 29) by Jony's father, Yakub Ali, at the office of the Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal.

According to the case details, on January 19, 2015, Nuruzzaman Jony and his classmate Moin had gone to visit Jony's younger brother, Moniruzzaman Hira, at Dhaka Central Jail. On their way back, they were reportedly abducted by individuals claiming to be members of the Detective Branch (DB) of police. They were allegedly taken to the South Division office of the DB under DMP, where they were subjected to physical torture.

In the early hours of January 20, around 3:30am, residents of the Jorapukur field area in Khilgaon reported hearing gunshots and screams. Shortly after, witnesses and locals saw police at the scene. Officers reportedly claimed that Joni had been killed in a gunfight with police and was being taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

However, when family members and witnesses later identified his body at the hospital morgue, they found 16 bullet wounds on his chest, sides, and hands—casting doubt on the police account.

After years of silence, Jony's father filed a case with Khilgaon Police Station on September 3, 2023, naming 62 individuals, including high-ranking political and police officials, in connection with the killing.