MOHAMMAD MOINUDDIN
By Staff Reporter
The International Crimes Tribunal-2 has formally framed charges against 26 people, including former Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Habibur Rahman and former Awami League lawmaker Mohammad Habib Hasan, in a crimes against humanity case over the deaths of 11 people, including Mir Mahfuzur Rahman Mugdha, in Uttara, Dhaka, during the July 2024 mass uprising.
The tribunal passed the order on Sunday, October 11. November 4 has been fixed for the prosecution's opening statement and the recording of witness testimony.
With this order, the case concerning the alleged killings during the July movement in Uttara has entered the next stage of judicial proceedings. The accused include former police officials, members of law enforcement agencies, and several leaders and activists associated with the Awami League and its affiliated organisations.
Tribunal's Order and Status of the Accused
According to published reports, the three-member judicial panel of International Crimes Tribunal-2 was headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury. Eight of the 26 accused were produced before the tribunal in custody, while the remaining 18 are reportedly absconding, according to court-related reports.
The charges against the eight accused present before the tribunal were read out. When asked whether they admitted to the charges, they pleaded not guilty and expressed their expectation of a fair trial. The tribunal subsequently scheduled November 4 for the next stage of proceedings.
Among the absconding accused are former Member of Parliament Mohammad Habib Hasan, former DMP Commissioner Habibur Rahman, and former Deputy Commissioner of DMP's Uttara Division Kazi Ashraful Azim. Several other former police officials and law enforcement personnel have also been named in the case.
Although charges have been framed, the case has not yet reached a final verdict. The court will examine witness testimony, evidence, the defence's arguments, and other relevant matters during the trial to determine whether the allegations are established.
What Happened in Uttara?
According to the case documents and media reports, several people were killed during the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement in Uttara on July 18 and 19, 2024. Among them was Mir Mahfuzur Rahman Mugdha, a student at Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP).
According to published reports, Mugdha was helping injured protesters during demonstrations around Sector 3 of Uttara and the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway on July 18. Reports also stated that he was distributing water and biscuits among the protesting students. He was shot during the incident.
His fellow students later took him to Uttara Crescent Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
News of Mugdha's death sparked widespread discussion across the country at the time. His efforts to assist fellow students during the movement made him a memorable figure to many people. His death is regarded as one of the significant and widely discussed incidents of the July uprising.
However, in the judicial proceedings, the allegations and evidence associated with each incident will be assessed separately. The mention of an incident in media reports or in the case allegations does not mean that it has been conclusively proven in court.
Allegations Relating to the July 18 Incident
According to the prosecution, seven people, including Mugdha, were killed in shootings during the crackdown on protesters in Uttara on July 18. The case also includes allegations concerning the death of Uber driver Mokhlesur Rahman, also known as Durjoy.
The prosecution alleges that he was run over by an armoured police vehicle and that his body was subsequently thrown into the Turag River. It has also alleged that several other people sustained serious injuries from gunfire during the incident.
The second allegation concerns another shooting in the same area of Uttara on July 19. The prosecution claims that four more people, including Ridwan Sharif Riyad Joy, were killed in the incident. The charge sheet also mentions an alleged attempt to kill another individual named Raisul Rahman Ratul.
The prosecution has described these incidents as crimes against humanity committed in a planned, widespread, and systematic manner. However, the truth of each allegation will be examined during the judicial process. The tribunal has not yet issued a final decision on the charges against the accused.
Former Police Officials and Political Figures Named in the Case
The inclusion of former DMP Commissioner Habibur Rahman and Mohammad Habib Hasan, a former Member of Parliament for the Dhaka-18 constituency, has drawn attention to the case at both political and administrative levels. Former police officials from different ranks have also been named.
Under the law, the framing of charges against an individual does not mean that the person has been found guilty. The prosecution bears the burden of proving the allegations in court, while the accused have the opportunity to present their defence and supporting evidence.
For this reason, the upcoming witness examination and hearings are considered important stages of the proceedings.
The status of the 18 absconding accused, alongside the eight who have been arrested, is also relevant to the case. The legal proceedings concerning absconding accused and their representation will be conducted in accordance with the applicable legal provisions.
Next Stage of the Trial Begins on November 4
The tribunal has scheduled November 4 for the prosecution's opening statement and the recording of witness testimony. At this stage, the prosecution will have the opportunity to outline the allegations, explain the circumstances surrounding the incidents, and present an overview of the supporting evidence.
The subsequent examination of witnesses will allow various aspects of the case to be assessed judicially.
Testimony from eyewitnesses, relevant officials, and other witnesses may help clarify the circumstances surrounding the incidents. However, the identities of the witnesses who will testify and the manner in which the evidence will be considered will depend on the course of the proceedings.
In cases of this nature, the time and location of the incidents, the roles allegedly played by the accused, direct and circumstantial evidence, and the defence's arguments are all important considerations. The tribunal will review these matters before reaching a decision in accordance with the law.
Why the Trial of July Uprising Cases Matters
The deaths and injuries reported at various locations during the July 2024 movement, the role of law enforcement agencies, and questions concerning citizens' rights generated widespread discussion across Bangladesh. The families of those killed, injured individuals, and members of the public continue to show interest in the judicial proceedings relating to these incidents.
The case concerning the deaths of 11 people, including Mugdha, in Uttara is significant in this context. However, maintaining the credibility of the judicial process requires decisions to be based on evidence, the accused to be given an opportunity to defend themselves, and accurate information about court proceedings to be made public.
The responsibility of the media is to report court orders, the prosecution's statements, and the position of the defence accurately. Presenting allegations as proven crimes before a final verdict would be inappropriate. Similarly, publishing unverified information about court proceedings could mislead the public.
Attention Now Turns to Witness Testimony
Following the framing of charges against 26 people, attention will now turn to the next stage of the trial. Once the prosecution's opening statement and witness examination begin on November 4, the nature of the information and evidence presented in support of the allegations will become an important focus.
The judicial examination of the incidents in Uttara will proceed through developments in the case, witness testimony, and subsequent court orders. Until a final verdict is delivered, it remains legally and journalistically important to refer to the allegations against the accused as allegations.
The tribunal has framed charges against 26 people, including former DMP Commissioner Habibur Rahman and former MP Habib Hasan, in the case concerning the deaths of 11 people, including Mugdha, in Uttara during the July uprising.
