Trial against Lt Col Redwanul, three others begins over July Uprising killings in Ramapura
On 24 December last year, the tribunal formally framed charges against the four accused
The formal trial has begun in the case over the killing of 28 people in Dhaka's Ramapura and Banasree areas during the July Uprising, with four accused, including former Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) officer Lieutenant Colonel (retd) Redwanul Islam, facing charges of crimes against humanity.
Proceedings started yesterday at International Crimes Tribunal-1, headed by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, after the prosecution placed its opening statement. The tribunal later recorded the testimony of the first witness in the case. The first witness, Bishwajit Rajbanshi, son of Gangacharan Rajbanshi, who was killed on 18 July 2024, began his deposition before the court.
Earlier in the day, two accused were produced before the tribunal from the Dhaka Cantonment's special jail. They are former BGB officers Lieutenant Colonel (retd) Redwanul Islam and Major Md Rafat Bin Alam.
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The other two accused, former additional deputy commissioner (ADC) of DMP's Khilgaon division, Md Rashedul Islam and former Ramapura Police Station officer-in-charge, Md Mashiur Rahman, remain absconding. Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam delivered the prosecution's opening statement, following which the tribunal proceeded to record witness testimony.
In his deposition, Bishwajit Rajbanshi told the court that he works as an air-conditioner mechanic and that his father was employed as the personal driver of magician Shahin Shah. He said that at around 10pm on 18 July 2024, his elder brother Mithu Rajbanshi received a phone call stating that their father had been shot by BGB personnel and was lying near the WASA gate in front of the Ramapura Bridge.
Bishwajit said he rushed to the spot with his mother and several local residents, where they found that a bullet had entered the right side of his father's chest and exited through his back. The family cremated his body at the Postogola crematorium the following day.
On 24 December last year, the tribunal formally framed charges against the four accused and ordered the commencement of the trial. Earlier, on 21 December, state-appointed lawyer Md Amir Hossain represented the two absconding accused, while lawyer Hamidul Misbah appeared for the two detained officers. The chief prosecutor had placed arguments on charge framing on 6 December.
On 22 October, Redwanul Islam and Rafat Bin Alam were produced before the tribunal from military custody. After the hearing, the tribunal ordered their arrest and sent them to jail, while also directing the publication of newspaper notices summoning the absconding accused to appear before the court.
According to the investigation agency's findings, during the July Uprising in 2024, Redwanul Islam was seen directly firing live ammunition at protesters in Ramapura, while other accused played leadership roles in the operation that led to the killings. Based on the investigation report, the prosecution submitted separate formal charges against the four accused, paving the way for the start of the trial.
