RAMPURA POLICE SHOOTINGEx-DMP chief, four other cops indicted

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1) on Thursday framed charges against former Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Habibur Rahman and four other cops in the crimes against humanity case filed over the shooting of a youth clinging from a cornice at an under-construction building and the killing of two others during the 2024 mass uprising at Rampura in Dhaka.

Passing the order, the three-member ICT-1, headed by its Chairman Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder, fixed 16 October for the commencement of the trial proceedings in the case with the prosecution's opening statement.

Alongside the ex-DMP chief, the four other police officers accused in the case are-- former Additional Deputy Commissioner of DMP's Khilgaon Division Md Rashedul Islam, former Officer-in-Charge of Rampura Police Station Md Moshiur Rahman, former Sub-Inspector Tarikul Islam Bhuiyan and former Assistant Sub-Inspector Chanchal Chandra Sarkar of Rampura police outpost.

Of them, Chanchal is behind bars. He was produced before the tribunal on Thursday. The former ASI, who allegedly fired the shots, was arrested on 26 January this year in Dighinala of Khagrachhari.

ICT Chief Prosecutor Advocate Muhammad Tajul Islam was present before the tribunal for the state, while state-appointed lawyer Advocate Md Amir Hossain appeared for the absconding accused and Advocate Sarwar Jahan Nippon moved for Chanchal. The tribunal rejected discharge petitions filed by the defence lawyers.

The prosecution filed the formal charges on 7 August. On 1 September, the ICT-1 ordered the publication of notices in newspapers summoning the four fugitive accused to appear before the court. On that day, the tribunal also approved the appointment of state defence counsel to represent the four absconding accused.