United News of Bangladesh

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-2 on Tuesday sentenced former minister and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) President Hasanul Haq Inu to 10 years of imprisonment in a case over killing of six people in Kushtia during the July 2024 uprising. The three-member bench of ICT-2 led by its Chairman Justice Nazrul Islam handed down the punishment. Earlier on May 14, the ICT kept the verdict pending in the case after concluding the law-point arguments from both sides. The prosecution submitted the investigation report against Inu on September 11, 2025. The recording of testimony began on November 30. A total of 10 prosecution witnesses testified in the case while two witnesses testified on behalf of the defence. According to the case statement, six protesters were shot dead at different locations in Kushtia town on August 5, 2024. They were Ashraful Islam, Suruj Ali Babu, student Abdullah Al Mustakin, Osama, businessman Bablu Farazi and employee Yusuf Sheikh. A case was filed against Inu before the International Crimes Tribunal. Based on the findings of the investigation agency, the prosecution later submitted formal charges against him, bringing eight counts. One of the charges is Inu, as president of the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JASAD), a key partner in the then-ruling 14-party alliance, used his senior political position to encourage the suppression of the movement. Besides, On July 18 last year, in an interview with the Mumbai-based Indian media outlet Mirror Now, he allegedly labelled the protesters as members of the BNP, Jamaat, terrorists and communal forces in an attempt to discredit the movement and incited the use of force against them. The second charge is on July 19 last year, a meeting of the then-ruling 14-party alliance was held at Ganabhaban under the chairmanship of Sheikh Hasina, with Inu in attendance. The meeting decided to deploy the military nationwide to suppress the quota reform and anti-discrimination student movement and ordered security forces to shoot unarmed and peaceful protesters on sight. According to the charges, Inu, as president of JASAD and a senior partner in the ruling alliance, was directly involved in making and implementing that decision and instructed its execution.    

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) is set to deliver its verdict on Tuesday in the crimes against humanity case against Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) President Hasanul Haq Inu over his alleged role in the killing of six people and other offences committed during the July uprising in Kushtia. The verdict will be pronounced at 1:30 pm by a three-member bench of ICT-2 headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury. The proceedings will be broadcast live by Bangladesh Television (BTV), subject to the tribunal's permission. On May 14, after concluding final arguments from both the prosecution and the defence, the tribunal kept the case under curia advisari vult (CAV), meaning the judgment was reserved for a later date. The prosecution was represented by Prosecutors Faruk Ahmad, Moinul Karim, Abdus Sobhan Tarafdar and others, while senior lawyer Monsurul Haque Chowdhury led the defence. The defence presented arguments over nine days, contending that Inu was not a member of parliament during the July 2024 uprising and had no involvement in the killings in Kushtia. According to the defence, prosecution witnesses also acknowledged that Inu was not present in Kushtia when the killings took place. The tribunal received the investigation report against Inu on September 11, 2025. Testimony began on November 30, with 10 prosecution witnesses and two defence witnesses examined during the trial. The case stems from the July-August 2024 mass uprising. On August 5, 2024, six people—worker Ashraful Islam, Suruj Ali Babu, student Abdullah Al Mustakin, Usama, businessman Bablu Farazi and employee Yusuf Sheikh were killed when police allegedly opened fire on student protesters and civilians at different locations in Kushtia town. Many others were also injured. According to the prosecution, the formal charges against Hasanul Haq Inu comprise eight allegations of crimes against humanity linked to the suppression of the July 2024 mass uprising. To begin with, prosecutors allege that on July 18, 2024, Inu, as president of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), a key ally of the then-ruling 14-party alliance, gave an interview to the Mumbai-based Indian television channel Mirror Now, where he described the protesters as BNP, Jamaat, terrorists and communal elements. The prosecution claims the remarks were intended to delegitimise the movement and incite the use of force against demonstrators. The prosecution further alleges that on July 19, 2024, Inu attended a meeting of the 14-party alliance at Ganabhaban chaired by then-prime minister Sheikh Hasina. During the meeting, prosecutors claim, a decision was taken to deploy the military nationwide and order security forces to open fire on unarmed participants of the quota reform and Anti-Discrimination Student Movement. Inu is accused of taking part in the decision-making process and of instigating, aiding and facilitating its implementation. Moreover, prosecutors allege that on July 20, 2024, Inu telephoned the superintendent of police in his home district of Kushtia and instructed the officer to identify protesters from photographs, prepare lists of participants and take action against them. In addition, the prosecution claims that Inu maintained regular communication with Sheikh Hasina throughout the movement and was involved in planning and conspiring to suppress the protests through the use of lethal weapons, deployment of armed groups, helicopter attacks, arrests and torture. Prosecutors allege that he advised and encouraged such measures. The charges also state that during an interview with News24 on July 27, 2024, Inu again labelled protesters as BNP, Jamaat, terrorists, militants and communal forces in an effort to discredit the movement. He is further accused of endorsing the imposition of curfew and supporting the government's use of lethal force, killings and repression against protesters. Furthermore, prosecutors allege that Inu attended another 14-party alliance meeting chaired by Sheikh Hasina on July 29, 2024, where he repeated his characterisation of the protesters as BNP, Jamaat, terrorists and communal elements. He is also accused of proposing a ban on Jamaat-e-Islami, which, according to the prosecution, helped legitimise the killings and repression carried out by law enforcement agencies and armed activists of the ruling alliance. The prosecution also alleges that on August 4, 2024, Inu endorsed the government's decision to impose a curfew and use live ammunition against protesters. He is further accused of conspiring with Sheikh Hasina over the phone to implement those measures and directing leaders and activists of his party accordingly. Finally, prosecutors allege that on August 5, 2024, acting on a conspiracy and directives involving Sheikh Hasina, Hasanul Haq Inu and former Awami League Joint General Secretary Mahbub Ul Alam Hanif, Awami League activists, affiliated organisations and police opened fire on unarmed student protesters and civilians at various locations in Kushtia town. The prosecution says the shootings killed six people—Ashraful Islam, Suruj Ali (Babu), Abdullah Al Mustakin, Md Usama, Bablu Farazi and Yusuf Sheikh.

The International Crimes Tribunal-2 (ICT-2) on Sunday ordered the initiation of trial against former Information Minister and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Jasad) president Hasanul Haq Inu over six killings in Kushtia during last year’s uprising. A three-member tribunal, headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, framed eight charges of crimes against humanity against him. The court also set November 30 for the presentation of opening statements and witness testimonies in the case. On Sunday, the tribunal read out the eight charges against Inu and asked whether he pleaded guilty. In response, Inu asserted his innocence, following which the tribunal formally framed the charges and issued the trial order. Read more: Ex-minister Inu threatens police: ‘I will destroy your entire lineage’ The former minister was brought to the dock from the tribunal’s detention centre around 11:30 am and the prosecution read out the allegations in his presence. The court told him, “Eight charges have been brought against you. If you plead guilty, our work will end; otherwise, the trial will proceed.” Inu then responded, “I have heard a few charges but not all. However, it seems my request is not being considered.” Inu was charged with issuing the command to kill six people in Kushtia after communicating with former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during the uprising. Read more: Trial of July killings to be held at Speedy Trial Tribunals On October 23, the prosecution presented formal charges against him and requested the start of trial, prompting the tribunal to issue a production warrant to ensure his presence. On October 28, Inu’s lawyer, Monsurul Haq Chowdhury, argued that none of the allegations were true and sought dismissal of the case, urging the tribunal to examine the charges thoroughly. The prosecution, however, contended that Inu could not evade responsibility as a leader of the 14-party alliance. Inu was arrested on August 26 last year from Uttara in Dhaka and remains in prison facing multiple cases. Read more: Chankharpul killings: Tribunal orders protection for witness facing security threat

Former minister and JSD(Inu) president  Hasanul Haq Inu on Sunday threatened police guards while being produced before the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Sunday morning, in connection with a case over crimes against humanity allegedly  committed during the July uprising. Inu and another senior Awami League  leader, Shahjahan Khan, were escorted from a prison van to the tribunal’s lock-up when the incident occurred. Both were brought in handcuffs and leg irons, known as ‘dandaberi’, which sparked an altercation with the police. Witnesses said the two former ministers protested their treatment, arguing that wearing such restraints was humiliating. During the heated exchange, Inu reportedly shouted at the officers, saying, "Toder choddogoshti kheye felbo," a phrase that roughly translates to, "I will destroy your entire lineage." People to have their own representatives soon through election: Fakhrul Before the tribunal proceedings began, Shahjahan Khan raised his handcuffed hands before the judges to draw attention to the issue. “I am a valiant freedom fighter. This is an insult to me,” he said. His defence counsel also brought the matter to the court’s attention. When the court call the police members engaged in this matter, a police officer, Shahidul, alleged that the accused hurled abusive remarks during their transport, including calling the officers “children of Razakars” and threatening to “deal with them.” Shahidul further claimed that Inu warned the police, saying, “I will destroy your entire lineage.” However, from the dock, the accused leaders—Inu, Shahjahan, Rashed Khan Menon, and Kamrul Islam—denied the allegations, calling them “completely false.” Addressing the matter, the tribunal said that if any accused engages in unruly behaviour, the police are authorised to take legal action. At the same time, the court cautioned law enforcement against any excessive measures during the handling of detainees.

Hasanul Haq Inu, president of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, was defeated by 19,161 votes in the 12th parliamentary elections held on Sunday. Inu who contested from Kushtia-2 (Mirpur-Bheramara) seat with AL's electoral symbol 'boat', got 79,735 votes. Democracy-loving people won as almost 12 crore boycotted polls: BNP Kamarul Arefin, an independent candidate with truck symbol, has been unofficially elected getting 98,896 votes. In 4 parliamentary constituencies in Kushtia, only one Awami League nominated candidate has won in the election. Abul Hasnat, Menon won in Barishal-1 and 2 Bangladesh Awami League joint general secretary Mahabubul Alam Hanif, the incumbent lawmaker from the Kushtia-3 (Sadar) seat, has secured the seat. He got 1,28,533 votes. His nearest rival, Eagle symbol independent candidate Pervez Anwar Tanu got 43,726 votes. History will mark 7th January as black day: Jamaat There are 16, 43, 912 voters in the four constituencies of Kushtia.