Verdict today in 6 Chankharpul killings

The verdict in a crimes against humanity case over the killing of six people at Chankharpul in the capital on August 5 last year, the day Sheikh Hasina was ousted, will be delivered today.

The judgment will be announced on Tuesday, January 20, by a three-member judicial panel of International Crimes Tribunal-1, led by Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder. The other two members of the panel are Justice Md Shafiul Alam Mahmud and retired district and sessions judge Md Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury.

This is the first case of the reconstituted tribunal, though the second in terms of verdict delivery. There are eight accused in the case, four of whom are currently under arrest, while the remaining four are absconding.

Those arrested are former Shahbagh Police Station inspector (operations) Md Arshad Hossain, constable Md Sujan Mia, Md Imaz Hossain Emon and Md Nasirul Islam.

The four absconding accused are former DMP commissioner Habibur Rahman, former DMP additional commissioner Sudip Kumar Chakrabarty, former Ramna zone additional deputy commissioner Shah Alam Md Akhtarul Islam and former Ramna zone assistant commissioner Mohammad Imrul.

After concluding arguments from both the prosecution and defence, the tribunal on December 24 last year set today as the date for delivering the verdict against the eight accused. The prosecution has said the entire verdict proceedings will be broadcast live on BTV.

A total of 26 witnesses, including the investigation officer, testified in the case. The tribunal recorded their statements over 23 working days. Statements from Arshad and three others were also recorded as defence witnesses, followed by arguments.

Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, one of the coordinators of the July movement, also testified in the case. Standing at the witness stand, he demanded exemplary punishment for the accused.

Formal hearings began on August 11 last year with the opening statement of Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam. The first witness was Sahriar Khan Palash, father of martyr Anas. Subsequently, testimonies were given by Sheikh Jamal Hasan, father of martyr Sheikh Mahdi Hasan Junayed; Anas’s mother Sanzida Khan Dipti; eyewitness Rabbi Hossain; businessman Abdul Gafur; New Market shop employee Md Tipu Sultan; navy supplier Md Moniruzzaman; Md Jahangir Hossain, father of martyr Rakib Hossain Howlader; his elder brother Rahat Howlader; Rahima Akter, mother of martyr Yakub; his neighbour and uncle Shahid Ahmed; and Mohibul Haque, brother of martyr Md Ismamul Haque. All demanded exemplary punishment for the killers.