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Nur-e-Alam that Rakib had been shot. The news was later confirmed by phone.

He was first taken to Aftabnagar Nagarik Hospital and later admitted to the DMCH’s emergency unit before being shifted to the intensive care unit (ICU).

“When I tried to enter the ICU to see him, I was stopped,” she said. “I went inside anyway and saw Rakib lying unconscious. I kissed his forehead and told him nothing would happen to him.”

And yet, the doctors later broke the news his mother desperately hoped not to hear -- that Rakib was no more.

Two of the accused who are in custody -- former BGB officers Lt Col Mohammad Redowanul Islam and Maj Rafat Bin Alam Moon -- were present in the dock during the testimony.

Two other accused former police officers -- then Additional Deputy Commissioner of Khilgaon Md Rashedul Islam and then Rampura Police Station OC Moshiur Rahman -- are absconding.

In a separate crimes against humanity case linked to the July uprising, a prosecution witness, Mohammad Ali, yesterday testified before the ICT-2 against humanity case against Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader and six other party leaders and affiliates.

Furthermore, ICT-2 yesterday took cognisance of formal charges against 22 accused, including former ministers Hasan Mahmud and Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel, former lawmaker Fazle Karim Chowdhury, and 19 others in a related case in Chattogram.

The tribunal issued arrest warrants for Hasan Mahmud, Nowfel, and 16 absconding accused and directed authorities to produce them before it on April 19. Four other accused, including Fazle Karim, are already in jail in other cases.