ICT gets probe report in Ashulia body burning case: Chief prosecutor

Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) Mohammad Tajul Islam today said they have received an investigation report in the case filed allegedly for committing crimes against humanity by burning six bodies of protesters in Ashulia during the anti-discrimination student movement.
 
"We received the investigation report in the case linked to burning bodies in Ashulia while three to four other cases of crimes against humanity are now at the final stage. We hope to get the reports immediately after Eid," he told newsmen at his ICT office.
 
The chief prosecutor said they will submit the formal charge before the ICT after getting the investigation reports.
 
Regarding the brutal incident of burning bodies at Ashulia, the chief prosecutor earlier said that after shooting six young men dead in Ashulia on 5 August, police members put them in a police van and set them on fire. While the bodies were being set on fire, one of them was alive, he said.
 
Two separate complaints were filed with the ICT on 11 September last in connection with the burning of bodies. Since both complaints were identical, a case was filed.
 
An arrest warrant was issued against former local MP Saiful Islam and several others in this case on 24 December. Saiful Islam remains absconding in this case.
 
But, former Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime and Ops) of Dhaka District Md. Abdullahil Kafi, former Additional Superintendent of Dhaka District Police (Savar Circle) Md. Shahidul Islam, then Ashulia Thana OC AFM Sayed, DB Inspector Md. Arafat Hossain, SI Malek and Constable Mukul accused in the case were arrested.
 
The students started a movement under the banner of the anti-discrimination in July 2024 demanding quota reforms in public jobs.
 
The student became agitated over a High Court ruling in this regard. To eliminate this movement, the previous Awami League government used the administration, law enforcement agencies and party cadres to organise planned killings, genocide and other crimes against humanity.
 
In the face of the 36-day student-people movement, former prime minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country on 5 August. This led to the fall of the 16-year Awami League fascist regime.
 
The ICT is now holding trials of those involved in the crimes against humanity during the July-August movement.