The trial against fascist Sheikh Hasina – who fled to India in the face of a mass uprising in August 2024 – is making swift progress, with verdicts in at least two major crimes against humanity cases expected before the forthcoming 13th parliamentary election, scheduled for early February 2026.
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has fixed 13 November to determine the verdict date in the case filed against Hasina and two of her top aides – former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and ex-inspector general of police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, while proceedings in another case over the Chankharpool massacre are also nearing completion.
With the trial on the killing of six civilians in Dhaka’s Chankharpool area now at its final stage, many observers believe the verdict in the massacre case could follow shortly after the tribunal announces its decision in the Hasina case.
The 78-year-old Hasina, who fled the country on 5 August 2024, is being tried in absentia alongside Kamal for allegedly ordering a deadly crackdown on the student-led uprising. Mamun has turned approver after pleading guilty and providing testimony against them.
The ICT-1 bench, comprising of Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, Justice Md Shofiul Alam Mahmood, and Justice Md Mohitul Haq Enam Chowdhury, is also set to conclude hearings in the Chankharpool case this month.
ICT Prosecutor Barrister Shyikh Mahdi confirmed that testimony and cross-examination of 24 witnesses have been completed, with the argument phase expected to begin soon.
Among the witnesses was Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan, the interim government’s Adviser for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives. ICT Prosecutor Tanvir Hassan Zoha, who also led the investigation, testified for the 14th day on Sunday. During his deposition, two phone conversations between Hasina and former Dhaka South mayor Fazle Noor Taposh were played in court.
Following his statement, the tribunal scheduled 12 November for further testimony, with the investigation officer expected to be the final witness. “Once testimony concludes, the argument phase will begin, after which the case will proceed to verdict,” said ICT Prosecutor Gazi Mohammad Monowar Hossain Tamim.
Speaking to journalists outside the ICT building, Tamim alleged that Hasina had ordered security forces to use lethal force on protesters, resulting in six deaths in Chankharpool on 5 August 2024.
Addressing speculation about the Hasina verdict, Tamim said, “There is no concern regarding political rallies or lockdowns announced by the Awami League. The tribunal will fix a specific date for delivering the verdict.”
He clarified that in previous ICT cases, verdicts were kept CAV (curia advisari vult), meaning the judgment could be delivered anytime. “In Hasina’s case, the tribunal has set a specific date to determine when the verdict will be delivered.”
The Chankharpool case trial began on 11 August 2024, with Shahriar Khan Palash, father of martyr Shahriar Khan Anas, testifying as the first witness. ICT Chief Prosecutor Advocate Muhammad Tajul Islam placed the opening statement on the same day.
There are eight accused in the case. Four – former OC (Operations) of Shahbagh Police Station Md Arshad Hossain, and officers Md Sujon Mia, Md Imaj Hossain Emon, and Md Nasirul Islam – are in custody.
The remaining four –Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s former commissioner Habibur Rahman, former joint commissioner Sudip Kumar Chakrabarti, former additional deputy commissioner Shah Alam Md Akhtarul Islam, and former assistant commissioner Mohammad Imrul – remain fugitives.
Source:Daily Sun
Bd-pratidin English/ ANI
