2013 Shapla Chattar killings: Tribunal orders probe report within 2 months against Hasina, 20 others

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has ordered a comprehensive investigation report within two months regarding allegations of crimes against humanity involving former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 20 others for the reported massacre and torture that occurred during a Hefajat-e-Islam rally at Shapla Chattar in Motijheel in 2013. 

Following the proceedings today (5 April), the two-member bench led by Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Mozumder scheduled the next hearing for 7 June.

The court's decision came after Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim requested an extension to finalise the probe. 

During the session, six high-profile detainees were produced before the tribunal, including former State Minister for Home Affairs Shamsul Haque Tuku, retired Major General Ziaul Ahsan, former IGP AKM Shahidul Haque, former DIG Mollah Nazrul Islam, former DIG Abdul Jalil Mandal, and Shahriar Kabir, a prominent leader of the Ekattorer Ghatak-Dalal Nirmul Committee.

On 26 November 2024, Hefazat-e-Islam leader Azizul Haque filed a complaint with the chief prosecutor of the tribunal regarding the Shapla Chattar incident. 

A total of 21 people were charged in this complaint filed on behalf of Hefazat leaders Junaid Al Habib and Maulana Mamunul Haque.

The complaint targets a wide array of influential figures, including Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, former ministers Rashed Khan Menon and Hasan Mahmud, and former Dhaka South Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh. Other notable names on the list include former advisers Salman F Rahman and Tarique Ahmed Siddique, former army chief Aziz Ahmed, and several media executives such as Mozammel Haque Babu and Ahmed Jobaer.

The tribunal noted that while this specific investigation is ongoing, many of the accused are already facing formal charges in various other separate cases. 

The prosecution now has until early June to present its findings on the events of May 2013 to the court.