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Published : 16 Apr 2026, 01:38 PM
The International Crimes Tribunal has concluded a hearing on the framing of crimes against humanity charges in a case over the shooting of two Islami Chhatra Shibir leaders in the leg in Jashore’s Chougachha Upazila.
On Thursday, a two-member bench led by International Crimes Tribunal-1 Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mazumder set Apr 20 for its decision. The other member of the bench is Justice Md Shafiul Alam Mahmud.
The lawyers of the accused sought their acquittal at the hearing.
Liton Ahmed represented suspects Constable Sajjadur Rahman and Constable Zahrul Haque.
He argued at the hearing that the incident does not constitute a crimes against humanity offence and petitioned for the charges to be dropped.
In addition, his lawyer sought the acquittal of Sub-Inspector Aqiqul Islam, saying the incident was not representative of a “widespread” or “systematic attack”.
The then chief counsel Md Aminul Islam gave a legal explanation of the terms “widespread” and “systematic attack”.
He told the tribunal that a “rights” report had been submitted and published on various incidents that occurred from 2009 to 2024.
During this period, the report says that law enforcers would detain whoever was targeted. He argued that the Chaugachha incident is also a part of this “widespread” and “systematic attack”.
After hearing both sides, the tribunal set Apr 20 as the date for its decision on the chargesheet.
In the morning, the three suspects arrested in connection with the case were presented before the tribunal.
The absconding suspects include the then Jashore superintendent of police Anisur Rahman, the then chief of Chougachha Police Station Mashiur Rahman, and SI Mokhles, SI Jamal and SI Majedul.
Taking into account the formal complaint filed by the prosecution on Feb 1 this year, the Tribunal-1 issued arrest warrants for five people and ordered three others to be produced in court.
The prosecution held a hearing on the matter on Apr 12. On that day, Prosecutor Mizanul Islam applied for the framing of formal charges.
That day, he said that in 2016, Chougachha Upazila Chhatra Shibir Secretary Israfil Hossain, and the student organisation’s Literary Editor Ruhul Amin, were shot in the legs.
Afterwards, sand was put into the gunshot wounds and they were tied with towels before being taken to the hospital.
The legs of both victims became infected and eventually had to be amputated.
He then petitioned for charges to be framed against the accused.
