The investigation report into the alleged crackdown and killings during the Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh rally at Shapla Chattar in 2013 has been submitted to the prosecution team of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), according to reports.
The investigation report names 41 people as accused, including former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Chief of Army Staff General Aziz Ahmed.
The list of accused also includes several senior figures from the media and security sectors, including former Ekattor Television Editor-in-Chief Mozammel Haque Babu, former Chief Reporter Farzana Rupa, writer and journalist Shahriar Kabir, as well as the then Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Director General of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and the former Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), along with several other senior officials.
On the morning of July 19, the investigation agency of the International Crimes Tribunal officially handed over the report to the prosecution team.
Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam confirmed the matter, saying that the investigation report is currently under review. He said the report will be formally submitted to the International Crimes Tribunal on July 21 as scheduled.
The Chief Prosecutor added that further details regarding the progress of the investigation would be presented through an official briefing later.
According to the investigation findings so far, 32 deaths have been confirmed in Dhaka alone. However, as the investigation has not yet been completed, the actual number of deaths cannot be confirmed at this stage, the Chief Prosecutor said.
Meanwhile, a delegation from Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh visited the office of the Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal on July 19 to inquire about the progress of the case.
The delegation was led by Hefazat-e-Islam’s Senior Naib-e-Ameer Abdul Hamid (Madhupur Pir Sahib). The 10-to-15-member delegation included Joint Secretary General Maulana Mamunul Haque, Mufti Harun Izhar, Mufti Mir Idris, and other leaders.
On May 5, 2013, Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh held a rally at Shapla Chattar in Motijheel, Dhaka, demanding the implementation of a 13-point charter of demands.
Following a day of heightened tensions and clashes, the rally was dispersed late at night through a joint operation conducted by police, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).
The incident, during which allegations of mass casualties were reported, is currently being investigated by the International Crimes Tribunal.
Source: Bangla version.
