Ex-DMP Commissioner Habib, 4 others face tribunal charges over Rampura shootings
The International Crimes Tribunal has fixed 16 September to deliver its order on charge framing against former Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Habibur Rahman and four others in a case over crimes against humanity.
The charges include the attempted killing of Amir Hossain, who was shot while hanging from a rooftop cornice during the uprising in Rampura, and the killings of two others.
Today, a three-member bench of the tribunal, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mojumdar, set the date.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
The prosecution has sought the tribunal's permission to frame charges and begin a trial against the accused. Meanwhile, state-appointed defence counsel has sought discharge of the accused, including one in custody and four absconding.
Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam argued for the prosecution, assisted by Prosecutors Gazi MH Tamim and Saimum Reza Talukder. State defence lawyer Md Amir Hossain represented the four absconding accused, while advocate Sarwar Jahan appeared for arrested ASI Chanchal Chandra Sarker. His remaining arguments will be heard on 14 September.
Yesterday morning, police produced Chanchal Chandra Sarker, former ASI of Rampura police outpost, before the tribunal for the hearing.
Earlier, on 1 September, the tribunal appointed state defence for the four absconding accused. On 25 August, it directed newspaper notices to be issued, ordering the absconding accused to appear.
Besides Habibur Rahman, the other accused are former ADC of Khilgaon zone, Md Rashedul Islam, former Rampura officer-in-charge, Md Mosiur Rahman, and former sub-inspector Tarikul Islam Bhuiyan. Arrest warrants were issued against them on 10 August.
On 7 August, Prosecutor Faruk Ahmed submitted formal charges on behalf of the prosecution. On 31 July, investigators submitted their final report to the Chief Prosecutor's Office.
According to the case documents, on 19 July last year, Amir Hossain, returning from work to his aunt's house in Dhaka's Rampura, fled in panic after seeing police and BGB vehicles on both sides of the Banasree-Meradia road. He climbed onto the roof of a four-storey under-construction building to save himself.
Police followed him. At one point, Amir clung to the rods of the rooftop cornice to avoid capture. Spotting him, a police member shot him six times. He fell to the third floor, screaming, and locals rescued him.
He was first taken to a local hospital in Banasree, then referred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital the same night. After months of treatment, Amir eventually returned home.
The same day, police gunfire in Rampura's Banasree killed Nadim and Maya Islam. Maya's six- year-old grandson, Basit Khan Musa, was also shot. He later underwent treatment in Singapore, but still cannot speak.
