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mentioned this earlier too.”
Tajul then resumed his submission and highlighted the charges against the five accused, including former Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner Habibur Rahman and ex-additional deputy commissioner of DMP’s Khilgaon zone Rashedul Islam.
Other accused are then Rampura Police Station officer-in-charge Mashiur Rahman, then sub-inspector of the station Tarikul Islam Bhuiyan, and then Rampura police outpost Assistant sub-inspector Chanchal Chandra Sarkar. Only Chanchal is in custody, while the others are on the run.
The charges brought against the accused include murder, attempted murder, conspiracy, complicity, facilitation, abetment, incitement, failure to prevent crimes or take action, and command responsibility under the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973.
On July 19 last year, six-year-old Musa was shot and critically injured during police action in Rampur. The same bullet fatally struck his grandmother, Maya Islam, who died the next day. Another victim, Md Nadim, was also shot dead.
In another incident that day, a video circulating on social media shows 18-year-old Amir Hossain hanging from the cornice of an under-construction building while two policemen fire at him.
Meanwhile, the state-appointed counsel for the absconding accused and the defence for the arrested accused submitted petitions seeking the discharge of their clients.
Sarwar Jahan, representing ASI Chanchal, argued that his client was not present at the scene of the crime. He claimed that Chanchal was on duty near gate No. 3 in Rampura at the time.
The prosecution said in a video clip Chanchal was seen firing during the incident. The defence lawyer dismissed the claim, arguing that the person in the video and his client was not the same.
Lawyer Sarwar sought an extension of time to submit supporting documents. The tribunal granted it and asked him to file them by Sunday.
The tribunal also set September 16 for delivering its decision on whether to frame charges or discharge the accused.
Besides, two witnesses yesterday testified in a case filed over the killing of six people in police firing at Chankharpul on August 5, 2024.
Tipu Sultan, a New Market shop employee, told the tribunal that around 11:00am, he joined a procession in front of Shaikh Burhanuddin Post Graduate College when police shot sound grenades and bullets at protesters. Yakub from his area was shot and died at Mitford Hospital, while another protester, Ismamul, died from bullet injuries at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
Another witness, Md Moniruzzaman, a resident of Chankharpul, said he and his son joined the protest. He recounted that in the Khalifa Patti area, police opened fire, killing protester Junaid in front of him. Five to six others were killed that day, he added.
Both witnesses demanded justice for the killings.