Verdict deferred in Rampura crimes against humanity case as prosecution eyes new evidence

The verdict in a crimes against humanity case over deaths and injuries in Dhaka’s Rampura during the July 2024 Uprising has been postponed after prosecutors sought time to submit new digital evidence.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, granted the prosecution four weeks after the request was made during a hearing on Wednesday.

Prosecutor Shyikh Mahdi appeared for the prosecution and sought time to prepare the additional evidence. Another prosecutor, Mizanul Islam, told the tribunal that new digital evidence had recently come to light and the prosecution wanted to place it before the court.

No lawyers for the defence were present during the hearing. The tribunal did not immediately set a new date for the verdict or the next hearing.

'STRONG EVIDENCE'

Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam later told reporters that under Section 9(4) of the International Crimes Tribunal Act and Rule 46 of its regulations, prosecutors can submit additional evidence at any stage if important material had been left out.

He said that after joining the tribunal on Feb 23, he began reviewing cases individually. Cases where investigations appeared sound were being pursued, while those with shortcomings were being sent back to investigators with further guidance.

The Rampura case had already reached the verdict stage before his appointment, he said.

During the review, prosecutors found a video recording of an "extrajudicial confession" by one of the accused, Chanchal Chandra Sarkar.

“In the video he speaks about how he fired and under whose instructions,” the chief prosecutor said, adding that the recording had not been presented earlier as evidence “inadvertently”.

“Such a strong piece of evidence needs to be presented,” he said, explaining why prosecutors had sought permission to submit the video as additional evidence.

He said the tribunal had not yet decided on the request.

Asked why the video had not been submitted earlier, Aminul said he was not certain when it was first obtained, but it had recently come to his attention.

He added that the existing witness testimonies had been properly presented and the new evidence would further strengthen the case.

The case accuses five people, including former Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner Habibur Rahman, of crimes against humanity over the killing of two people and the injury of another during the July uprising.

Only one of the accused -- Chanchal, a former assistant sub-inspector at the Rampura Police Outpost -- is currently in custody.

The others, including former DMP commissioner Habibur Rahman, former ADC of Khilgaon Zone Md Rashedul Islam, former Rampura Police Station chief Md Mashiur Rahman and former sub-inspector Tarikul Islam Bhuiyan, remain absconding.

Arguments from both sides concluded on Feb 3. Defence lawyer Sarwar Jahan Nippon sought acquittal for Chanchal, while prosecutors demanded the maximum punishment for all five accused.

The tribunal had initially set Feb 15 to fix a date for the verdict and later scheduled the ruling for Mar 4. The decision was deferred on Wednesday following the prosecution’s request.

According to the case documents, on Jul 19, 2024, during the uprising, a man named Amir Hossain climbed into an under-construction building beside the Banasree–Meradia road in Rampura while trying to escape.

Police followed him, and while he was hanging from rods on the roof ledge, a police officer allegedly fired six rounds at him, seriously injuring him.

On the same day, Nadim and Maya Islam were killed by police gunfire in the Banasree area.

The tribunal began the trial on Sept 18 last year after formally framing charges against the five accused.