Ex-Konabari OC denied bail in July Uprising murder case

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has rejected the bail application of former Konabari Police Station OC KM Ashraf Uddin in a case related to the killing of college student Hridoy Hossain during police firing in the Konabari area of Gazipur on 5 August last year.

The two-member tribunal-1, led by Justice Md Shafiul Alam Mahmud, issued the order today (26 October) after hearing the bail plea.

Lawyer Sifat Mahmud filed the application on behalf of Ashraf, citing his wife's serious illness as grounds for bail. He told the tribunal that Ashraf's wife initially had a tumor which gradually developed into cancer, and there was no one else in the family to care for her and their two daughters. 

While in-laws could assist, the family is still facing difficulties, the lawyer said.

Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim opposed the bail, arguing that at this stage of the investigation, no one should be granted bail. 

He emphasised that following Sheikh Hasina's fall on 5 August last year, Hridoy participated in a victory procession, during which he was brutally killed under KM Ashraf's instruction. His body was later thrown into a river and has never been found, despite searches by divers. 

Tamim also highlighted that the killing occurred under Ashraf's planning and direction, leaving no chance for him to evade responsibility.

Following the hearing, the tribunal denied Ashraf's bail. 

The former OC has been in jail since 5 March. 

The next hearing in the Konabari crimes against humanity case is scheduled for 24 November, with the tribunal requesting submission of the investigation report in the meantime.