Verdict any day in case on burning bodies in Ashulia
The International Crimes Tribunal-2 will deliver its verdict any day in a case over burning the bodies of six people after killings in Ashulia of Savar, on the outskirts of Dhaka, during the July mass uprising 2024.
A three-member panel headed by ICT-2 Chairman Nazrul Islam Chowdhury kept the case waiting for pronouncing judgment on Tuesday, January 20, after the prosecution and the defence concluded their arguments.
On January 14 and 15, Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam and prosecutor Mizanul Islam argued for the state, while lawyer Syed Mizanur Rahman and SM Mirajul Alam Azman presented for the defendants.
On August 21, 2025, the tribunal framed charges against 16 accused in the case. Of them, eight are in custody. Seven pleaded not guilty and demanded justice. SI Sheikh Abzalul Haque, however, pleaded guilty and later became an approver.
The seven who pleaded not guilty are former Additional Superintendent of Police (Crimes and Operations) of Dhaka district Md Abdullahil Kafi, former ASP (Savar Circle) Md Shahidul Islam, former DB Inspector Md Arafat Hossain, former sub-inspectors Abdul Malek and Arafat Uddin, former assistant SI Kamrul Hasan, and former constable Mukul Chokder.
“A total of 29 people were killed during the uprising in Savar. One person was killed on August 4 and six the next day. By killing the innocents, the accused committed one offence; by burning their bodies on August 5, they committed another,” the prosecution said earlier.
On July 16, the tribunal ordered public notices in two national dailies summoning eight fugitive accused to surrender. It said that if they fail to do so, the trial will proceed in absentia.
Earlier on July 2, ICT-2 took cognisance of the formal charges, which accuse the defendants of shooting six youths on August 5, 2024—killing five instantly—and burning their bodies, along with another injured youth, allegedly in an attempt to destroy evidence.
Arrest warrants were issued that day against eight fugitive suspects, including former lawmaker Muhammad Saiful Islam and former Deputy Inspector General of Police Nurul Islam.
The ICT investigation agency submitted its probe report on June 19.
According to the prosecution, police placed the victims’ bodies in a van and set it ablaze to make it appear as if protesters had torched it. One victim was reportedly alive when the fire was set.
With inputs from BSS
FH/MSU
