Chankharpul killings: ICT sets 20 Jan for verdict against ex-DMP chief Habibur, 7 others 

The International Crimes Tribunal has set 20 January for delivering its verdict in a crimes against humanity case against eight people, including former Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner Habibur Rahman, over the killing of six people at Chankharpul on 5 August last year during the July uprising.

The order was passed today (24 December) by the three-member Tribunal-1, headed by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder.

The four arrested accused are former Shahbagh police station inspector (operations) Md Arshad Hossain, constable Md Sujan Mia, Md Imaz Hossain Emon, and Md Nasirul Islam. They were produced before the tribunal under tight security today.

During the hearing, defence lawyer Md Ziaur Rashid presented arguments on behalf of accused Imaz Hossain Emon. State defence counsel Qutub Uddin Ahmed later placed arguments for four absconding accused.

Prosecutor Mizanul Islam offered rebuttal arguments for the prosecution, assisted by prosecutors Shahidul Islam, Abdullah Al Noman, and others.

Earlier, on 22 December, defence lawyers concluded part of their arguments, and the tribunal fixed today for the remaining hearing. On that day, lawyer Saddam Hossain Abhi argued on behalf of Md Arshad Hossain.

Lawyers Sifat Mahmud Shubho and Abul Hasan later presented arguments for constables Sujan and Nasirul, claiming the prosecution had failed to produce evidence against their clients.

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

On 14 July this year, the tribunal framed charges against all eight accused and ordered the commencement of the trial.