DHAKA, Sept 04, 2025 (BSS) – The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 today adjourned till September 7 the hearing in a crimes against humanity case lodged over the killings of six innocent people in the city's Chankharpul area on August 5, 2024.

The three-member tribunal headed by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder passed the order, allowing a time plea from the prosecution 

A total of eight witnesses so far testified in the case against eight accused including former commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Habibur Rahman. 

Of the eight, four accused have been arrested and are now facing trial in person. They are- former officer-in-charge of Shahbagh Police Station Md Arshad Hossain, constables Md Sujon Miah, Md Imaj Hossain Emon and Md Nasirul Islam.

Earlier on August 11, Shahriar Khan Palash, father of martyr Shahriar Khan Anas, testified as first prosecution witness, narrating heart-wrenching incidents of August 5, 2024, when his son along with five other innocent people were brutally killed by law enforcers in the Chankharpul area.

Before the submission of his deposition, ICT Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam placed opening statement in the case.

The first tribunal on July 14 framed charges against eight accused in a crimes against humanity case filed over the killings of six innocent people in the city's Chankharpul area on August 5, 2024.

The prosecution, led by Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam on July 3 had argued for framing charges against the accused, while the defence counsels moved their discharge petitions for their clients.

Advocate Saddam Hossain Ovy argued for accused Inspector Arshad, Barrister Sifat Mahmud for constable Md Sujon, Advocate Shibli Sadekin for constable Imaj Hossain Emon, Advocate Abul Hasan for constable Nasirul Islam and state-appointed counsel Advocate Md Kutubuddin defended four fugitive accused in  the tribunal.

The ICT-1 on June 3 ordered authorities concerned to publish a notice in two national dailies, asking the four fugitive accused to appear before it. 

The four fugitive accused are former Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Habibur Rahman, former DMP Joint Commissioner Sudip Kumar Chakraborty, former Additional Deputy Commissioner Shah Alam Mohammad Akhtarul Islam and former Assistant Commissioner of Ramna Zone of DMP Mohammad Imrul.

The notice was published on the next day. The four fugitives, however, remained absent, prompting the tribunal to appoint Advocate Md Kutubuddin as the state's defence to defend the accused.

The prosecution on May 25 filed  formal charges against eight in the crimes against humanity case lodged over the killings of six innocent people in the city's Chankharpul area on August 5, 2024. 

It was the maiden formal charge filed at the ICT in the cases lodged over the July-August Mass Uprising.

Shahriar Khan Anas, Sheikh Mahdi Hasan Zunayed, Md Yakub, Md Rakib Hawlader, Md Ismamul Haque and Manik Miah embraced martyrdom in Chankharpul area on August 5.

The investigation agency of the tribunal filed the 90-page probe report on April 20.