Shapla Chattar killings trial to formally begin on July 27: Chief Prosecutor

The judicial proceedings in the widely discussed Shapla Chattar killings case are set to formally begin on July 27, with the investigation report scheduled to be submitted to the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Aminul Islam has said.

Confirming the development on Saturday (July 25), the chief prosecutor said the submission of the probe report would mark the official commencement of the long-awaited trial.

Several high-profile figures have been arrested in connection with the case, including former State Minister for Home Shamsul Haque Tuku, retired Major General Ziaul Ahsan, former minister Dr Dipu Moni, former Inspector General of Police AKM Shahidul Hoque, former Deputy Inspector General Mollah Nazrul Islam, Ekattorer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee advisory council president Shahriar Kabir, former DIG Abdul Jalil Mondal, and journalists Farzana Rupa and Mozammel Babu.

Earlier, on May 7, the prosecution sought production warrants for Dr Dipu Moni, Farzana Rupa, and Mozammel Babu. During the hearing, Prosecutor Gazi M.H. Tamim alleged that misleading information regarding the May 5, 2013 Shapla Chattar operation had been disseminated internationally. He claimed that, as the then foreign minister, Dr Dipu Moni was linked to those efforts.

The prosecution also alleged that journalists Farzana Rupa and Mozammel Babu were involved in broadcasting "provocative and misleading" information about the operation through Ekattor Television, leading to their inclusion in the case.

According to the prosecution, 58 people were killed in incidents linked to the May 5, 2013 Shapla Chattar operation across four locations. Investigation records identify 32 fatalities in Dhaka, 20 in Narayanganj, five in Chattogram, and one in Cumilla.