Dhaka, Jan 26 (V7N) — The International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1) on Monday sentenced former Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Habibur Rahman, former Joint Commissioner Sudip Kumar Chakraborty, and former Ramna Division ADC Shah Alam Md. Akhtarul to death in connection with the killing of six people during a police crackdown in Chankharpul on August 5, 2024.

In the same verdict, police officer Mohammad Imrul was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment, Shahbagh Police Station Officer-in-Charge Arshad Hossain to four years, while constables Sujan Hossain, Nasirul Islam, and Imaz Hossain were each sentenced to three years in prison.

The verdict was delivered by a three-member bench of ICT-1, headed by Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Majumder, with Justice Md. Shafiul Alam Mahmud and Judge Md. Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury as members. Justice Majumder read out the judgment in open court. The tribunal also ordered the confiscation of assets belonging to the three convicts sentenced to death.

In its ruling, the tribunal stated that former DMP Commissioner Habibur Rahman issued instructions via wireless messages to use deadly weapons, a charge the court found to be proven. The tribunal further observed that Habibur Rahman, Sudip Kumar Chakraborty, and Shah Alam Md. Akhtarul had the authority and responsibility to prevent the killings in the Chankharpul area but failed to take any action.

The tribunal noted that four key accused remain absconding in the case: Habibur Rahman, Sudip Kumar Chakraborty, Shah Alam Md. Akhtarul, and Mohammad Imrul.

The trial began on July 14, 2024, while the recording of witness testimonies started on August 11. A total of 26 witnesses testified during the proceedings. The prosecution presented video footage, phone call records, and eyewitness accounts, detailing the sequence of events surrounding the killings.

According to case records, on August 5, 2024, police opened fire on a peaceful student movement in the Chankharpul area of Dhaka. The incident resulted in multiple casualties, leaving six people dead: Shahriar Khan Anas, Sheikh Junaid, Md. Yakub, Md. Rakib Howlader, Md. Ismamul Haque, and Manik Mia Shahrik.

END/SMA/AJ