Tribunal seeks 71 TV footage, documents to probe Shapla Chattar incident

The investigation agency of the International Crimes Tribunal has sought video footage, broadcast licence copies and related documents from private television channel 71 TV as part of its probe into the 2013 Shapla Chattar incident in Dhaka’s Motijheel.

The request was made in a letter signed by investigation agency coordinator Mohammad Shahidullah Chowdhury, according to officials. The letter was sent to 71 TV authorities on June 8 and disclosed on Wednesday (June 10).

According to the letter, investigating officer Md. Iftekharul Alam is leading the probe into allegations of crimes against humanity linked to the incidents surrounding Hefazat-e-Islam’s programme at Shapla Chattar on May 5 and 6, 2013.

Under Section 3(2) of the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973, the investigation is being conducted to examine allegations of mass violence and related offences.

The tribunal’s investigation team has requested a copy of the government-issued broadcast licence of 71 TV, along with all footage aired on the Shapla Chattar events and other relevant materials.

The agency said the documents are required for the purpose of a “nationally significant” investigation and urged full cooperation from the media outlet.

The Shapla Chattar incident has long remained a subject of judicial debate and calls for accountability from various quarters. Recently, the International Crimes Tribunal has intensified its investigation, collecting media footage, photographs and other evidence related to the events.