Chief Prosecutor vs. Habibur Rahman & Ors | ICT BD (ICT I) Case No. 1 of 2025
The case – “Chief Prosecutor vs. Habibur Rahman & Others (ICT BD (ICT-1) Case No. 1 of 2025”, also known as the Chankharpul killing case, concerns allegations of crimes against humanity arising from the shooting deaths of six unarmed civilians by police personnel in the Chankharpul area of Dhaka on 5 August 2024, during the July–August mass uprising. It is one of the first formal prosecutions connected to deaths during that period before the International Crimes Tribunal, Bangladesh.
Factual Summary
On 5 August 2024, during a nationwide protest movement, police opened fire in the Chankharpul area of Dhaka, resulting in at least six fatalities among protesters who were largely students and unarmed civilians. The victims were identified as:
- Shahriar Khan Anas
- Sheikh Mahdi Hasan Zunaid
- Md Yakub
- Md Rakib Howlader
- Md Ismamul Haque
- Manik Miah
These deaths later became the focus of a formal investigation and legal case under the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT).
Legal Proceedings
Investigation
- The ICT’s investigation agency opened its probe by Complaint Register No. 139 dated 07.10.2024.
- The ICT’s investigation agency completed its probe and submitted the Investigation Report on 20 April 2025, linking eight former police officials to the killings.
- Evidence included witness statements, video footage, audio recordings, newspaper reports, and official records.
Accused
The tribunal charged eight individuals, primarily former police officers, with crimes against humanity, including murder and related offenses. The accused are:
- Habibur Rahman – Former Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner
- Sudip Kumar Chakraborty – Former DMP Joint Commissioner
- Shah Alam Mohammad Akhtarul Islam – Former Additional Deputy Commissioner (Ramna Zone)
- Md Imrul – Former Assistant Commissioner (Ramna Zone)
- Md Arshad Hossain – Former Inspector (Operations), Shahbagh Police Station
- Md Sujon Hossain – Former DMP Constable
- Imaz Hossain Emon – Former DMP Constable
- Nasirul Islam – Former DMP Constable
Four of them (the first four above) have been tried in absentia as they remain at large, while the later four are in custody.
Formal Charges
On 25 May 2025, the ICT formally accepted indictments against all eight accused, marking the first formal charges related to killings during the July–August uprising.
Trial
- Upon submission of the Formal Charge by Prosecution, the Tribunal took cognizance of the formal charge on 25.05.2025
- Charges were framed against the accused on 14.07.2025
- A total of 26 (Twenty Six) witnesses were examined during the trial.
- First witness Md. Shahria Khan Palash were examined on 11.08.2025. Last witness Md. Monirul Islam (Investigation Officer) were examined on 12.11.2025 till 27.11.2025.
- Defence produced 3 (three) witnesses, who were examined between 08.12.2025 till 10.12.2025
- Final Arguments by the Prosecution and Defence were concluded on 24.12.2025.
Judgment
- After hearings and arguments from prosecution and defense, the International Crimes Tribunal-1 delivered its verdict on 26.01.2026.
- The tribunal sentenced three of the accused to death:
📌 Habibur Rahman
📌 Sudip Kumar Chakraborty
📌 Shah Alam Mohammad Akhtarul Islam
- The remaining five received various prison terms:
📌 Md Imrul – 6 years
📌 Md Arshad Hossain – 4 years
📌 Md Sujon Hossain, Imaz Hossain Emon, Nasirul Islam – 3 years each.
The prosecution has appealed the sentences at the Supreme Court level, seeking maximum punishment for all convicted defendants and challenging what it described as comparatively lighter terms for five of them.
Witness Protection
In late December 2025, the ICT ordered police protection for a key witness in the case, Md Mohibul Haque, after he was reportedly assaulted in Lohagara Upazila, Chattogram, reportedly because of his testimony before the tribunal.