ICT to rule on Mugdho murder charges today

The judicial panel, headed by Tribunal Chairman Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, fixed the date after previously deferring the hearing.

On September 16, state counsel Prosecutor Gazi M. H. Tamim presented arguments before the court, alongside Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam and prosecutors Zahirul Amin and Tareq Abdullah.

Defence counsels Advocate M. Liton Ahmed represented appearing defendants, while state-appointed lawyers Amir Hossain, M. Hasan Imam, and Shahidul Islam presented arguments on behalf of the fugitive accused.

The case implicates 28 individuals, including police personnel and local Awami League activists. Eight defendants are currently behind bars, while 18 remain fugitives.

The detained defendants include former Uttara Division Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of DMP Mirza Salahuddin, former Uttara East Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mojibur Rahman, former Azampur police outpost constable Hossain Ali, Uttara West Awami League President Monowar Islam Chowdhury Robin, Jubo League President Delowar Hossain Rubel, Awami League leader Sohel Rana, ward Swechchhasebak League Vice-President Shah Alam, and Turag area Awami League activist Irfanul Haque Gazi.

Among the 18 fugitive accused are former Member of Parliament for Dhaka-18 Mohammad Habib Hasan, former DMP Commissioner Habibur Rahman, former Uttara Division Deputy Commissioner Kazi Ashraful Azeem, former ADC Md. Tohidul Islam, former Assistant Commissioner Suman Kar, former Uttara West OC B. M. Forman Ali, and former Uttara East Police Inspector (Operations) Mahmudul Hasan.

Other fugitives include former Dhaka North City Corporation councillors Jahangir Hossain (alias Jubaraj), Farid Ahmed, D. M. Shamim, Anisur Rahman Naim, and Afsar Uddin Khan, alongside Awami League leader Alauddin Al Sohel, former Uttara West Chhatra League Vice-President Murtafa Bin Omar (alias Sathil), and Turag Jubo League leader Zakir Hossain (alias Mithu).

According to the prosecution, on July 18, 2024, BUP student Mir Mahfuzur Rahman Mugdho was distributing bottled water and biscuits to student protesters in Uttara's Sector 3 while assisting in evacuating the injured to hospitals. He was shot dead during the crackdown and later declared dead upon arrival at Uttara Crescent Hospital.

The case comprises two primary charges detailing the killings of 11 individuals across Uttara on July 18 and 19, 2024.

The first charge details the July 18 killings of Mugdho, Zahiduzzaman Tanvin, Sheikh Fahmin Zafar, Md. Shakil Hossain, Md. Sabbir Hossain, and Sajib Sarkar, alongside Uber driver Mokhlesur Rahman Durjoy, who was allegedly crushed beneath the rear wheels of an armored personnel carrier (APC).

The second charge outlines the July 19 killings of Redowan Sharif, Md. Sabbir Islam, Md. Asadullah, and Naima Sultana in the same area.