United News of Bangladesh

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 will deliver its judgment any day in the case over the killing of Begum Rokeya University Student Abu Sayed during the July uprising. A three-member ICT-2 bench led by Justice Manjurul Bashid kept the verdict pending after concluding the law-point arguments of both sides in the case. On June 30, 2025, the investigating agency of International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) found involvement of 30 people including police in the killing of Abu Sayed. They submitted chargehseet in the case on June 24, 2025. Among the 30 accused, 24 accused  are absconding. Earlier, six accused in the case were produced before the three-member bench of the ICT. They are  former assistant sub-inspector Amir Hossain and former constable Sujan Chandra Roy, former Proctor of Begum Rokeya University Shariful Islam, banned Chhatra League leader Imran Chowdhury, Rafiul Hasan Russel and Anwar Pervez. Abu Sayed, a 12th batch student of Begum Rokeya University's English Department, was shot dead during students’ protests on July 16 last year in front of Begum Rokeya University at Park Mor in Rangpur.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 sentenced three former police officials to death and five others to different jail terms in the case over the killing of six people during the July Uprising at Chankharpul in the capital. A three-member bench of the tribunal, led by its Chairman Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder, delivered the verdict. The condemned convicts are former Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) commissioner Habibur Rahman, former joint commissioner Sudip Kumar Chakraborty and former additional deputy commissioner of Ramna Division Shah Alam.  All three are now on the run. Another fugitive accused, Assistant Commissioner (AC) Md Imrul, was sentenced to six years in prison. Among the four arrested accused, inspector Arshad Hossain was sentenced to four years in jail while constables Sujan Hossain, Imaj Hossain and Nasirul were each sentenced to three years in jail. Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam said an appeal will be filed against the verdict, as, he said, the accused have been found guilty and the verdict is not fair enough. On January 20, the tribunal deferred the verdict although it had set January 20 for delivering the judgment. According to the prosecution, on August 5, 2024, police opened fire on a peaceful student movement at Chankharpul, leaving six people dead. Chankharpul killings: Tribunal orders protection for witness facing security threat The victims were Shahriar Khan Anas, Sheikh Junayed, Md Yakub, Md Rakib Hawladar, Md Ismamul Haque and Manik Mia Shahrik. After finding evidence against the accused, the tribunal on July 14 last year framed charges against all eight and ordered the commencement of the trial.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 has set November 13 for announcing the date of delivering  verdict in a case against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and another accused over crimes against humanity committed during last year’s July-August movement. After five days of arguments by the prosecution and three days by the defence, the three-member tribunal led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder set the date on Thursday. The other two members of the bench are Justice Md Shafiul Alam Mahmood and Justice Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury. In this much-discussed case, the prosecution sought the maximum punishment for Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on five charges of crimes against humanity while state-appointed defence lawyers pleaded for their acquittal. The defence counsel for state witness and former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun also sought his acquittal. Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam responded to several points raised by the defence while Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman, as the state’s chief legal officer, urged the tribunal to ensure justice through the highest punishment for the accused. ICT orders 15 army officers be sent to jail in crimes against humanity cases Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam, Prosecutors Mizanul Islam and Gazi SH Tamim led the arguments for the prosecution, supported by prosecutors BM Sultan Mahmud, Shaikh Mahdi, and Abdus Sattar Palowan, among others. On the defence side, state-appointed lawyer Md Amir Hossain represented fugitive accused Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal while lawyer Zayed Bin Amzad appeared for state witness Abdullah Al-Mamun. Relatives of victims, including the father of martyr Abu Sayed testified in the case, along with key witnesses including Nahid Islam, Convener of National Citizen Party (NCP) and Amar Desh editor Dr Mahmudur Rahman. In total, 54 witnesses testified in the trial. According to the charges, the then Awami League government, along with its party leaders, loyal administrators, and members of law enforcement agencies, committed crimes against humanity to suppress the student-led July–August uprising. Two international crimes tribunals are currently trying these allegations. On July 10, the tribunal formally indicted Sheikh Hasina, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former IGP Abdullah Al-Mamun, beginning the trial. Former IGP Al-Mamun turned state witness and gave testimony revealing details of the incidents. ICT chief prosecutor seeks death penalty for Hasina, Kamal The prosecution submitted an 8,747-page formal charge, including 2,018 pages of references, 4,005 pages of seizure lists and documentary evidence, and 2,724 pages containing the list of victims. A total of 81 witnesses were named in the charge sheet. The tribunal’s investigation agency submitted its report to the prosecution on May 12. Besides this case, Sheikh Hasina faces two other cases before the International Crimes Tribunal—one over enforced disappearances and killings during the Awami League’s 15 and a half years in power and another over the 2013 killings at Hefazat-e-Islam rally at Dhaka’s Shapla Chattar.  

The High Court on Saturday released the full verdict that upheld the death penalty of 20 students of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) and life imprisonment for five others in Abrar Fahad murder case. The 131-page full verdict was published on the Supreme Court’s website. On March 16, the HC upheld the trial court’s verdict confirming the death penalty of 20 Buet students and life imprisonment of five others in the sensational case. A High Court bench comprising Justice AKM Asaduzzaman and Justice Syed Enayet Hossain delivered the verdict in a jam-packed courtroom. HC set to deliver verdict in Abrar murder case Sunday Abrar Fahad, a second-year student of Buet’s Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) department, was beaten to death on October 6, 2019, by activists of the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) at Sher-e-Bangla Hall. The attack was reportedly triggered by a Facebook post Abrar had made about water-sharing issues between Bangladesh and India. His body was later found on the dormitory’s staircase. The following day, Abrar’s father filed a murder case at Chawkbazar Police Station. The incident sparked nationwide outrage, leading to widespread protests. On December 8, 2021, a Dhaka court sentenced 20 Buet students to death and handed life imprisonment to five others for their involvement in the murder. Convicts and sentences The 20 students sentenced to death are: Mehedi Hassan Rasel, Anik Sarker, Mehedi Hassan Robin, Ifty Mosharaf Sakal, Moniruzzaman Monir, Meftahul Islam Jiyon, Majedur Rahman, Muzahidur Rahman, Tabakhairul Islam Tanvir, Hossen Mohammad Toha, Shamim Billah, Nazmus Shadat, Muntasir Al Jemi, Mizanur Rahman, Mahmud Setu, Shamsul Arifin Rafat, Morshed Omorto Islam, Ehtesamul Rabbi, Morshed Uzzaman Jishan, Mujtaba Rafeed, Dream of education system where students can see future within own country: CR Abrar The five students who received life imprisonment are: Muhtasim Fuyad, Akash Hossain, Mowaz Abu Horaira, Omit Shaha and Ishtiaq Hassan Munna. Of the total 25 accused in the case, five are on the run.  The HC began hearing the death reference and appeals on November 28 last year.    

A Habiganj tribunal on Thursday convicted five people and sentenced them to death for killing a pregnant woman in 2016. Read : Rab arrest death row convict in Habiganj The convicts are: Russel Mia, 25; his elder brother Kawsar Mia, 32; their mother, Tahera Begum, 50; their sisters Hasna Begum, 20, and Rozy Begum, 27. All of them are from Sadekpur village under Chunarughat upazila. Among them, Kawsar was tried in absentia. Read : 2 murdered, 25 wounded over land dispute in Habiganj Habiganj Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal Judge Zahidul Islam handed down the punishment. According to the prosecution, Tahera Khatun alias Ayesha, the seven months pregnant wife of Russel Mia, was beaten to death by her husband and her in-laws over Tk one lakh dowry on September 15, 2016. Read : 2 killed in lightning strike in Habiganj Abdus Sattar, Ayesha's father, filed a case with Chunarughat Police Station.

A Cumilla court on Monday convicted a man and sentenced him to death for killing a man in 2015. The condemned convict is identified as Azad Mia, 35, son of Bahadur Mia of Homna upazila. AL infighting leaves 1 dead , 10 injured in Cumilla Judge of the Cumilla Additional District and Session Judge Court-3,  Rozina Khan handed down the punishment. The court also acquitted two others—Salauddin, 28 and Nasir Uddin, 22---two siblings of the convict, as allegations brought against them could not be proved. Three crushed under bus wheels in Cumilla According to the prosecution, the convict beat Joj Mia up mercilessly, while he was sitting at the bus stand, over previous enmity on May 22, 2015. At one stage, he stabbed Joj Mia with a sharp weapon, leaving him dead. 16 Chhatra League men suspended for grieving Sayeedi's death on Facebook in Cumilla Anwar Ali, brother of Joj Mia, filed a case against three people with Homna Police Station. Police submitted chargesheet against them.

The Appellate Division on Monday fixed December 13 (Tuesday) for delivering its judgment on the temporary embargo on the political activities of Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader. A three-member Appellate Division bench headed by Chief Justice Hasan Foyez Siddiqui passed the order after hearing today. So it will be known tomorrow (Tuesday) whether GM Quader will be allowed to perform his duties as Jatiya Party chairman as per the constitution or not. Barrister Sayed Ahmed Raja appeared for Jatiya Party's suspended leader and former lawmaker Ziaul Haque Mridha who filed the case against GM Quader while Advocate Sheikh Sirajul Islam for GM Quader. Read more: GM Quader cannot perform duties as JaPa Chairman, Chamber Judge stays HC order On November 30, Chamber Judge of the Appellate Division M Enayetur Rahim stayed the High Court order allowing Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader to perform the duties of his post. On November 29, HC cleared the way for GM Quader to perform his duties as Jatiya Party Chairman by staying the lower court embargo till January 3 following a revision petition. Ziaul Haque Mridha filed the case against GM Quader on October 4. On October 30, Dhaka Joint District Sessions Judge court-1 issued a temporary embargo on the political activities of GM Quader. On October 6, several lawyers including Sheikh Sirajul Islam and Kalim Ullah Majumdar stood for GM Quader with a petition to withdraw the ban on his political activities at the court. In the petition, the lawyers also urged the court to lift the embargo to play his role as Chairman as per the constitution of the party that was dismissed by the same court on November 16. Later, Quader filed a revision petition with the HC challenging the lower court order. Read more: GM Quader can perform party activities: HC According to the case statement, the party’s founder HM Ershad died on September 14, 2019. Quader declared himself as chairman of the party through forgery at a council on December 28, 2019 when a writ petition case was pending at the High Court. Later, Quader as party chairman fired several leaders including Ranga, Gazipur metropolitan unit’s advisor Ataur Rahman Sarkar and Organising Secretary Sabur Sikdar, among others, by exercising his power as per the constitution of the party. Besides, Ranga was also removed from the post of presidium member of the party on September 14 and Advocate Ziaul Hoque Mridha from the party on September 17. In the case, orders were sought to declare all removals from December 28, 2019, to September 17, 2022 and council as illegal while the next council of the party to keep stayed unless the HC writ petition is disposed of.

The High Court (HC) on Thursday upheld the death sentence of three convicts in a case over the killing student Himadri Majumdar Himu in Chattogram in 2012. The death-row convicts are- Mahbub Ali Dany, Zahidul Islam Shaon and Zunayed Riyad. The court also acquitted Shah Selim alias Tipu and Shahadat Hossain Saju. Read more: HC releases full text of verdict upholding death penalty of 10 militants The HC bench of Justice Bhishmadev Chakrabortty and Justice Khandaker Diliruzzaman delivered the judgment after hearing of the on the death references and the convicts’ petitions. On 27 April in 2012, Himadri, an A-level student of Summerfield School and College of Chattogram, was forcibly taken to the rooftop of Tipu’s residential building and pushed off from the roof unleashing dogs on him. Himadri died on May 23 of the year after undergoing treatment for 26 days. Read more: HC orders probe on ‘disappearance’ of birth and death registration info Later, a case was filed at the Panchlaish police station. On October 30 of the same year, police submitted a chargesheet to the court against the five convicts. On August 14 in 2016, Chattogram fourth additional metropolitan sessions judge Nurul Islam sentenced the five accused to death for their involvement in the murder. Later, the documents of the death sentences were sent to the High Court for approval as per rules. Besides, the convicts appealed challenging the trial court judgment.

The High Court on Wednesday upheld the death penalty for the five men and life imprisonment for another person convicted of killing acclaimed photojournalist Aftab Ahmed in 2013. A division bench of justices Jahangir Hossain and Md Bashir Ullah passed the order after hearing their appeal petitions. Advocates SM Shahjahan, Helal Uddin Molla and Shafiqul Islam stood for the petitioners, while deputy attorney general Samira Taranum Rabeya Miti represented the state. On March 28, 2017, Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal-4 judge Abdur Rahman Sardar sentenced the five men to death and another to life imprisonment for the murder of Aftab. The condemned convicts are Billal Hossain Kislu, Habib Hawladar, Raju Munshi, Russel and driver Humayun Kabir Molla. Of them, Raju Munshi and Russel were tried in absentia. The lifer has identified as Sabuj Khan. The court also imposed a fine of Tk 10,000 on him. Read: Gaibandha child murder: HC upholds death sentence of one On December 25, 2013, Aftab of Daily Ittefaq, an Ekushey Padak recipient, was found dead at his West Rampura Wapda Road residence. He was 69. Driver Humayun, Habib and Billal subsequently made a confessional statement before the court that the convicts had strangled the victim to death while committing robbery in his house. Billal looted Tk 72,000 from his residence and shared the money with the others involved in the killing, according to police.   Aftab received the coveted Ekushey Padak in 2006.