FROM PAGE 3

Aminul said investigators had aimed to submit the report before May 5, but delays in collecting key evidence and completing inquiries in Chattogram -- where a major incident also occurred -- have pushed back the timeline.

Replying to a query, he said the number of accused could exceed 20 to 25, though a final figure is yet to be determined. Investigators have found alleged links involving members of law enforcement agencies, high-ranking government officials, activists of Chhatra League and Jubo League, and financiers. Some suspects are already in custody, he added.

On March 12, the ICT issued arrest warrants for deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, former home minister Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir, former IGP Hasan Mahmud Khandaker, then DMP commissioner Benazir Ahmed, and Imran H Sarker, spokesperson for Gonojagoron Mancha, over the killings during the protest.

Meanwhile, ICT-2 yesterday asked authorities to publish notices in two newspapers directing former ministers Hasan Mahmud and Mohibul Hassan Chowdhury Nowfel, along with 15 others, to appear before it within a week.

The order came after the tribunal was informed that law enforcers failed to arrest 17 individuals in a crimes against humanity case over the killing of six people during the July uprising.

In another development, police constable Nahid Mia, the 12th witness in a crimes against humanity case over Imam Hasan Tayim Bhuiyan’s killing in Jatrabari during the July uprising, told the tribunal that then DMP commissioner Habibur Rahman had instructed forces via wireless to fire live rounds, including Chinese rifles, from kneeling positions at protesters.

Nahid also said Inspector Zakir Hossain shot and killed Tayim Bhuiya, which he later saw in video footage.