Verdict in Chankharpul killings postponed to Jan 26

The verdict in the war crimes case over the killing of six people at Chankharpul, Dhaka, during the July movement will not be announced today, January 20. The new date for the verdict has been set for January 26.

The three-member judicial panel of International Crimes Tribunal-1, led by chairman Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Mazumder, announced the new date. The other two members of the panel are Justice Md. Shafiul Alam Mahmud and retired district and sessions judge Md. Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury.

There are a total of eight accused in the case, four of whom are in custody while the others are fugitives. The arrested include former Shahbagh police inspector (operations) Md. Arshad Hossain, constable Md. Sujan Mia, Md. Imaj Hossain Emon, and Md. Nasirul Islam. The four absconding accused are former Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner Habibur Rahman, former deputy commissioner Sudip Kumar Chakraborty, former additional deputy commissioner of Ramna zone Shah Alam Md. Akhtarul Islam, and assistant commissioner Mohammad Imrul.

A total of 26 witnesses have given statements in the case. The tribunal recorded their testimonies over 23 working days. Statements from the four arrested accused were also recorded as exculpatory evidence. Following this, arguments began, with the prosecution seeking the maximum punishment for all accused, while the defence argued for acquittal.

It is noted that on August 5, 2024, during the Chankharpul incident, six people—Shahriar Khan Anas, Sheikh Junayed, Md. Yakub, Md. Rakib Hawladar, Md. Ismamul Haq, and Manik Mia Shahrik—were killed in police firing.