Rampura killings: Verdict against ex-DMP chief Habibur, 4 others tomorrow
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) is set to deliver its verdict tomorrow (Sunday) against five police officers, including former DMP Commissioner Habibur Rahman, over charges of crimes against humanity during the July Uprising in Rampura.
The three-member panel of ICT-1, headed by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumdar, will pronounce the verdict. The other members are Justice Md Shafiul Alam Mahmud and Judge Md Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury.
The charges relate to the shooting of a man, Amir Hussain, hanging from the ledge of an under-construction building and the killings of Nadim Mizan and Maya Islam.
On 18 September, 2025, the tribunal framed charges against former DMP Commissioner Habibur Rahman, former ADC of Khilgaon Zone Md Rashedul Islam, former OC of Rampura Police Station Md Moshiur Rahman, former Sub-Inspector Tariqul Islam Bhuiyan, and former Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Chanchal Chandra Sarkar.
Of the five accused, only Chanchal has been arrested and is facing trial in person.
Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam, along with Gazi MH Tamim, Faruk Ahmed, Abdus Sattar Palowan, Shyikh Mahdi, and Tarek Abdullah, represented the prosecution.
Lawyer Sarwar Jahan Nippon appeared for the arrested accused, Chanchal Chandra Sarkar, while state-appointed lawyer Amir Hossain represented the four absconding officers.
The tribunal on June 15 fixed June 28 for delivering the verdict. State television BTV will telecast the event live.
After the victims’ families filed complaints with the tribunal, former ASI Chanchal Sarkar was arrested in Dighinala, Khagrachhari, on January 26 last year.
The prosecution submitted formal charges on 7 July, 2025.
The trial started on October 23 with the testimony of witnesses.
The verdict, initially scheduled for March 4, was deferred after the prosecution submitted fresh digital evidence.
A total of 13 prosecution witnesses, including the investigation officer, testified in the case.
In its closing arguments, the prosecution sought the maximum punishment for all five accused.
Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam argued that former DMP Commissioner Habibur was eager to use lethal weapons to suppress the July Uprising. He said Habibur instructed police through wireless communication to use lethal force, following which police officers carried out the killings.
The charges include the incident involving Amir Hossain, who survived after being shot six times while hanging from the ledge of an under-construction building. Video footage of the incident went viral soon after the restoration of internet services across the country.
Amir said he had held onto a rod attached to the building after three policemen followed him when he climbed onto the roof to escape police firing in the Rampura area.
"One policeman told me to jump down. I refused and kept holding onto the rod. He then fired three rounds at me with his pistol. All three bullets struck my legs. He left, and another policeman came and fired three more rounds. Those bullets also hit both of my legs. I lost consciousness," Amir said while testifying before the tribunal.
Another charge includes the killing of Nadim Mizan. His wife, Tabassum Akter Niha, testified that her husband was shot after offering Friday prayers near Rampura Police Station.
"I want justice for my husband's murder. I hold former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the police officers who fired the shots responsible. My children also want justice for the killing of their father," she told the tribunal.
The other charge involves the killing of Maya Islam, who was killed as she went outside to buy ice cream for her grandson, Basit Khan Musa.
The police bullet passed through Musa before striking Maya and killing her.
Musa survived and later underwent treatment in Singapore but remains unable to speak or walk.
"I want justice for the killing of my mother and for what has happened to my son," businessman Mostafizur Rahman, son of Maya and father of Musa, told the tribunal.