Nanak, Taposh, 26 others indicted in Mohammadpur July Uprising killing case

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 has indicted 28 individuals, including former minister Jahangir Kabir Nanak and former Dhaka South mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, in a case over the deaths of nine people, including student Farhan Faiyaz, during the July Uprising in Mohammadpur.

The tribunal also fixed 8 June for opening statements and the recording of witness testimonies in the case.

The order was passed today (10 May) by the two-member International Crimes Tribunal-1 led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder.

During the hearing, Judge Mohitul Haque read out the three charges brought against the accused. Four accused produced before the tribunal pleaded not guilty and sought justice.

The four are Mohammadpur Thana unit Chhatra League president Naimul Hasan Russell, vice-president Sajjad Hossain, Omar Faruq, and Fazle Rabbi.

Among the absconding accused are former textiles and jute minister Nanak, former Dhaka South City Corporation mayor Taposh, former DMP commissioner Habibur Rahman, former additional DIG Proloy Kumar Joarder, former DMP joint commissioner Biplob Kumar Sarker, ADC Raushunul Haque, MA Sattar, Tofael, Tarequzzaman, Arifur Rahman Tuhin, Ahad Hossain, Md Yunus, Molla Rubel, Azizul Haque, Reaz Mahmud, Mainul Islam, Sheikh Bazlur Rahman, Johir Uddin, Ayman, Sentu Miah, and DNCC Ward 32 councillor Syed Hasan Nur Islam Raston.

According to the prosecution, leaders and activists of the Awami League and Chhatra League, along with law enforcement personnel, carried out attacks during the student-led movement on 18 and 19 July 2024.

The prosecution alleged that under the instigation and direct or indirect presence of the accused, protesters were fired upon in Mohammadpur, leaving nine people dead, including Mahmudur Rahman Saikat and Farhan Faiyaz, and many others injured.

Prosecutors Gazi MH Tamim, Tareq Abdullah, Sahidul Islam Sardar, Abdus Sattar Paloan and others appeared for the prosecution.