Dhaka, Feb 25 (V7N)- Serious allegations have emerged against International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) Prosecutor BM Sultan Mahmud, following a letter sent by former Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam to the then Legal Advisor Asif Nazrul on January 11.

In the letter, Tajul Islam raised concerns over irregularities, breaches of discipline, and personal misconduct by Sultan Mahmud. He claimed that Sultan Mahmud had been sharing highly confidential tribunal information without authorization, posing a significant security risk to sensitive ongoing investigations and trials.

Key Allegations by Tajul Islam

  • Security misconduct: Sultan Mahmud allegedly abused and physically threatened security guard Md. Main Uddin during a minor incident in the High Court Annex elevator.

  • Threats of violence: He reportedly instructed gunmen to shoot indiscriminately for trivial reasons.

  • Domestic abuse: Tajul Islam attached a complaint from Sultan Mahmud’s wife alleging physical, mental, and social torture.

  • Judicial interference: He allegedly disrupted judicial proceedings by calling witnesses and victims to his home, providing misleading guidance and false information.

Tajul Islam requested Sultan Mahmud’s removal from his prosecutorial post, attaching supporting documents including the security guard’s complaint and a handwritten letter from Sultan Mahmud’s wife.

Response from BM Sultan Mahmud

Prosecutor Sultan Mahmud denied the allegations, claiming, “They conspired against me out of fear that I might reveal their corruption information. They prepared all this in advance to use against me. If I had done wrong, they could have taken legal action, but they did not.”

Context

  • Mohammad Tajul Islam was appointed Chief Prosecutor when the ICT was reconstituted after the student uprising on August 5, 2024.

  • BM Sultan Mahmud served as Deputy Attorney General in the 16-member prosecution team.

  • Tajul Islam was replaced as Chief Prosecutor on Monday (Feb 23) through a government notification.

This controversy highlights growing internal tensions within the ICT prosecution team, raising questions about tribunal management and accountability.

END/SMA/AJ