ICT proceedings continue in Shapla Chattar case

Nine accused, including former minister Dr Dipu Moni, were produced before the International Crimes Tribunal on Sunday in a case over alleged crimes against humanity linked to the 2013 Shapla Chattar incident in Motijheel.

The accused were brought to the tribunal from jail in the morning as the court was scheduled to receive the investigation report in the case. The tribunal is headed by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder.

According to prosecution sources, Dr Dipu Moni, journalist Farzana Rupa and Mozammel Babu were shown arrested in the case on May 14. The investigation report was scheduled to be submitted on Sunday, prompting authorities to produce all nine accused before the court.

However, the prosecution is expected to seek additional time as the investigation is still ongoing.

Other accused in the case include former state minister for home affairs Shamsul Haque Tuku, retired Major General Ziaul Ahsan, former Inspector General of Police AKM Shahidul Haque, former Deputy Inspector General Molla Nazrul Islam, Shahriar Kabir, former DIG Abdul Jalil Mollah, journalist Farzana Rupa and Mozammel Babu.

Earlier, on May 7, the prosecution sought production warrants for Dipu Moni, Rupa and Babu. Prosecutors alleged that during the 2013 incident, then foreign minister Dipu Moni made international statements portraying law enforcement actions in a particular manner, while Rupa and Babu aired related coverage through Ekattor Television.

Investigators have claimed that 58 people were killed during the 5 May 2013 operation linked to the Hefazat-e-Islam gathering, including 32 in Dhaka, 20 in Narayanganj, five in Chattogram and one in Cumilla.

TZ