Ex-DMP chief Habibur, two others sentenced to death in Rampura crimes against humanity case

ICT-1 sentences ex-DMP chief Habibur, two others to death for Rampura uprising killings

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1) on Sunday (June 28) sentenced three former police officials, including ex-Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Habibur Rahman, to death for crimes against humanity committed during the July 2024 uprising, in a case arising from the fatal shooting of two civilians and the attempted killing of a youth in Rampura.

The three-member bench, headed by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder and comprising Justice Md Shafiul Alam Mahmud and Justice Md Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury, passed the verdict at noon.

Besides Habibur Rahman, former Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of DMP's Khilgaon Zone Md Rashedul Islam and former Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Rampura Police Station Md Mashiur Rahman were also handed the death penalty. Former Sub-Inspector Tarikul Islam Bhuiyan received a life sentence, while former Assistant Sub-Inspector Chanchal Chandra Sarkar was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

All three death-row convicts remain absconding. ASI Chanchal Chandra Sarkar, the only accused in custody, is currently in jail.

The case stems from three incidents in the Banasree area of Rampura on July 19, 2024. In the most harrowing episode, Amir Hossain — fleeing police gunfire during the student-led mass uprising — took refuge in an under-construction building on the Banasree–Meradia road. As police gave chase, he clung to the building's ledge. Despite his desperate and exposed position, a police officer allegedly fired six rounds at him. Amir survived, though critically wounded. On the same day, two other civilians — Nadim Hossain and Maya Islam — were killed in police firing in the same area.

The prosecution argued that the coordinated attacks on unarmed civilians constituted crimes against humanity, and produced 13 witnesses — including the investigating officer — during the trial. Both sides concluded their second round of closing arguments on June 15, after which the case was kept pending for judgment.

Sunday's verdict marks the fifth delivered by the International Crimes Tribunal in connection with crimes against humanity allegedly committed during the July uprising. Habibur Rahman had already been sentenced to death by the tribunal in a separate case linked to the Chankharpul killings.