Shapla Chattar case: ICT orders Dipu Moni, Farzana Rupa, Mozammel Babu produced on 14 May

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has ordered former minister Dipu Moni, journalists Farzana Rupa and Mozammel Babu to appear before it on 14 May in a case filed over crimes against humanity committed during the Hefazat-e-Islam rally at Shapla Chattar in Motijheel.

The order was passed by a two-member bench of International Crimes Tribunal-1 led by Justice Md Shafiul Alam Mahmud.

The prosecution sought production warrants against former minister Dipu Moni and journalists Farzana Rupa and Mozammel Babu.

During the hearing, Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim told the tribunal, "Dipu Moni was the foreign minister during the killings at Shapla Chattar on 5 May 2013. On that day, she internationally portrayed that members of the law enforcement agencies had eliminated a group of unruly people. Besides, from the very beginning, journalists Farzana and Mozammel Babu broadcast the Hefazat-e-Islam grand rally through Ekattor Television as provocative speeches."

Following the hearing, the tribunal ordered that they be produced before the court.

The case is currently under investigation. The tribunal fixed 7 June for the submission of the investigation report.

Six accused in the case are currently in jail. They are former state minister for home affairs Shamsul Haque Tuku, Maj Gen (retd) Ziaul Ahsan, former inspector general of police (IGP) AKM Shahidul Hoque, former deputy inspector general (DIG) of police Molla Nazrul Islam, president of the advisory council of Ekattorer Ghatak-Dalal Nirmul Committee Shahriar Kabir, and former DIG Abdul Jalil Mondal.

ICT Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam alleged that former Ekattor TV managing director Mozammel Babu and Farzana Rupa attempted to conceal the extent of killings during the 2013 Hefazat-e-Islam rally at Shapla Chattar in Motijheel.

Speaking to journalists at a press briefing at his office conference room today (7 May), Aminul said they tried to divert the public attention from the killing that occurred on 5 May 2013.

He said that immediately after the incident, a programme titled "Somikoron" (Equation), aired on Ekattor Television and hosted by Farzana Rupa, spread "misleading information, creating the impression that no casualties occurred at Shapla Chattar."

He further alleged that the programme included statements from "controversial individuals" and was used to steer public perception away from the actual events.

Aminul added that the investigation has found evidence linking Mozammel Babu and Farzana Rupa to this "systematic attack" on the truth, noting that they used interviews with controversial figures, including former foreign minister Dipu Moni, to validate their "fabricated" narrative.

The chief prosecutor said their statements and roles are under scrutiny, adding that the interrogation of Farzana Rupa, Mozammel Babu and Dipu Moni is necessary for the investigation. The prosecution has therefore sought production warrants against them.

Aminul Islam also said that if their involvement is proven, they will be formally made accused in the case.

On the same day, following a prosecution application, the ICT approved a plea to show Farzana Rupa and Mozammel Babu as arrested in connection with the crimes against humanity case related to the Shapla Chattar killings.