Investigation report submitted against eight policemen over crimes against humanity

The Investigation Agency of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has submitted a report against former DMP commissioner Habibur Rahman and seven other policemen in a case over crimes against humanity involving the killing of six individuals in Chankharpool during the Anti-discrimination Movement.

The investigation report was submitted to the chief prosecutor's office on Sunday, according to bdnews24.com.

This is the first time an investigation report has been submitted in a case since the interim government moved to prosecute the Awami League government's repression of students and the public as “genocide”.

Apart from Habibur, former DMP joint commissioner Sudip Kumar Chakraborty, former additional deputy commissioner Shah Alam Md Akhtarul Islam and assistant commissioner Md Imrul, former Shahbagh police inspector Arshad Hossain, constables Sujan, , Imaz Hossain and Nasirul Islam have been named as accused in the case.

Four of them are currently absconding.

ICT Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam said at a press conference on Monday that the agency submitted the report within 195 days of the start of the investigation.

Drawing from the findings, he said the accused had killed six people following instructions provided by Habibur.

He said, “We have received the investigation report. The process of filing formal charges against the accused at the International Crimes Tribunal will begin from today [Monday].”

Commenting on the “involvement” of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal in the killing of six people in Chankharpool, Tajul said, "Since the investigation of superior command responsibility is in progress against them, they have not been named as suspects in this case.

“But the charge sheet contains the description of their role as the instruction provider and planners. Because Sheikh Hasina’s subordinates, members of law-enforcing agencies, and leaders and activists of the Awami League and the 14 parties implemented instructions at the field level on her direct order.”

Tajul said, "More crimes against humanity have been committed during the July Uprising in Chankharpool. Leaders and activists of the Awami League and its affiliated organisations are involved in those incidents. The investigation into those crimes is ongoing. The investigation agency will submit a report once the investigation is completed.

"Since the investigation report on the killing of six individuals was completed first, it has been submitted first as well."

Tajul expressed hope that the investigation report on the case of burning six bodies in Ashulia, Savar, will be available within the next week.

He said, “The investigation is over. Now the final touches are being applied. Once the report is received, it will be possible to try the Chankharpool and Ashulia incidents at the same time.”

In addition to the 90-page investigation report, documentary evidence has been added to the Chankharpool case, including statements from 79 witnesses, 19 video clips, 11 newspaper reports, and two audio calls.

Tajul said, “Among these is an audio call from Habibur Rahman, who ordered the police members to open fire directly using Chinese rifles to suppress the student-public movement through the police command centre through a wireless. It was after his order that the police personnel used lethal forces.”

Tajul said that 11 more documents have been submitted along with the investigation report. These include the United Nations investigation report on the July Uprising and the Human Rights Watch report. There are also death certificates of six July martyrs.

On Aug 5, the day Hasina-led government fell in the face of a student-led mass uprising, six people, including student Shaheed Anas, were brutally shot dead in Chankharpool.

The ICT is prioritising investigating the most brutal instances of crimes committed throughout the country during the movement.

Tajul said that legal action would be taken against the absconding accused in this case.

He added that if they are absconding during the trial, a notice will be given by the tribunal in the newspaper about them. If they do not appear, the trial will continue in their absence and the state-appointed lawyer will handle the case on their behalf.