The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Wednesday published the full verdict sentencing 3 of the 5 accused, including former Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Habibur Rahman, to death in the crimes against humanity case over the killing of 2 people and the shooting of a young man hanging from a cornice during the July mass uprising in Rampura.
The 147-page verdict was published after being signed by the judges. It includes details of the weapons and ammunition used during the July 19, 2024 incident.
According to the verdict, citing the formal charge sheet and the general diary (GD) filed by then Rampura Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Moshiur Rahman, police personnel from Rampura Police Station and Rampura Police Outpost used China rifles, shotguns, and pistols during the operation.
The charge sheet states that 553 rounds were fired from China rifles, 28 rounds from pistols, 323 rubber bullets were fired from shotguns, and 771 lead bullets were fired from shotguns.
The verdict further states that members of the law enforcement agencies used both lethal and less-lethal weapons and ammunition during the incident in the Rampura area.
On June 28, the ICT sentenced 3 of the 5 accused to death. Those sentenced were absconding former DMP Commissioner Habibur Rahman, former assistant deputy commissioner (ADC) of Khilgaon Zone Md Rashedul Islam, and former Rampura Police Station OC Md Mashiur Rahman.
Absconding former sub-inspector (SI) Tarikul Islam Bhuiyan was sentenced to life imprisonment, while former assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Chanchal Chandra Sarkar, the only accused in custody, was sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment.
The verdict was delivered by a 3-member bench of International Crimes Tribunal-1 headed by Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumdar.
During the trial, Advocate Sarwar Jahan Nippon argued on behalf of Chanchal Chandra Sarkar, saying: “My client had no involvement in the incident.”
Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam, representing the prosecution, sought the highest punishment for all 5 accused.
After hearing arguments from both sides on June 15, the tribunal fixed June 28 for delivering the verdict.
On June 10, Chanchal Chandra Sarkar, then an ASI at Rampura Police Outpost, gave defense testimony for a second time. During his deposition, he also made allegations against a prosecutor. He had first testified in the case on January 13.
Apart from Chanchal Chandra Sarkar, all other accused remain absconding. They are former DMP Commissioner Habibur Rahman, former ADC of Khilgaon Zone Md Rashedul Islam, former Rampura Police Station OC Md Mashiur Rahman, and former SI Tarikul Islam Bhuiyan.
The prosecution submitted the formal charge sheet on August 7, 2025. On September 18, 2025, International Crimes Tribunal-1 framed charges against the 5 accused and ordered the trial to begin.
