Tribunal sets February 5 for delivering verdict in Ashulia corpse burning case

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has set February 5 to deliver its verdict in a case over crimes against humanity involving the killing and burning of bodies in Ashulia during the July 2024 mass uprising.

A three-member ICT-2 bench headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury set the date on Sunday.

The case relates to an incident on Aug 5, 2024, when six men were killed in police firing in Savar's Ashulia. Prosecutors say the bodies were later placed in a police vehicle and burnt. One of the victims was alive at the time, according to the prosecution.

Prosecutors filed the case on September 11, accusing the suspects of crimes against humanity. The tribunal took cognisance of the formal charges on July 2, 2025.

Arguments from both sides concluded on January 20, after which the case was kept under advisement.

Of the 16 accused, eight are currently in custody, including several senior police officers. They include former additional superintendents of police Md Abdullahil Kafi and Md Shahidul Islam, as well as other officers from the Detective Branch and local police units.

The remaining suspects, including former MP Saiful Islam, are reported to be absconding.

Charges were framed on August 21 last year, and the trial was ordered to begin. Seven of the eight defendants present pleaded not guilty. One officer, sub-inspector Sheikh Abzalul Haque, admitted guilt and later testified as a state witness.