The verdict in the high-profile war crimes case concerning the burning of six bodies during the July 2024 mass uprising in Ashulia is scheduled to be delivered on 5 February.
On Sunday, the International Crimes Tribunal-2 (ICT-2) fixed the date. The three-member bench was presided over by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, with Justice Md. Manjurul Bashid and Justice Noor Mohammad Shahriar Kabir serving as the other members.
The prosecution team is led by Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam. Additional prosecutors involved in the case include Mizanul Islam, Gazi M.H. Tamim, B.M. Sultan Mahmud, Faruq Ahmed, and Abdus Sattar Palwan. Defence representation for four of the accused has been provided by state-appointed lawyer Amir Hossain.
Currently, eight of the accused have been arrested. They include former Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Abdullahil Kafi of Dhaka District, former DSP of Savar Circle Md. Shahidul Islam, former Detective Branch (DB) Inspector Md. Arafat Hossain, former Sub-Inspector of Ashulia Police Station Abdul Malek, along with civilians Arafat Uddin, Kamrul Hasan, Sheikh Abzalul Haque, and former Constable Mukul Chokdar.
Among the arrested, Sheikh Abzalul Haque has submitted a plea for forgiveness to the victims’ families and the tribunal, acting as a state witness. Meanwhile, former Member of Parliament Muhammad Saiful Islam and seven others remain at large.
During the opening statement, Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam detailed the brutal killings that occurred in Ashulia on 5 August 2024. He described how six protesters were shot and their bodies loaded onto a van and set ablaze. A survivor present at the scene was left unaided, highlighting the extreme brutality of the attack.
A summary of the arrested and absconding accused is presented in the table below:
| Name | Position/Designation | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| Abdullahil Kafi | Former Deputy Superintendent of Police | Arrested |
| Md. Shahidul Islam | Former Deputy Superintendent of Police | Arrested |
| Md. Arafat Hossain | Former DB Inspector | Arrested |
| Abdul Malek | Former Sub-Inspector, Ashulia Police | Arrested |
| Arafat Uddin | Civilian | Arrested |
| Kamrul Hasan | Civilian | Arrested |
| Sheikh Abzalul Haque | Civilian | Arrested, State Witness |
| Mukul Chokdar | Former Constable | Arrested |
| Muhammad Saiful Islam | Former Member of Parliament | At Large |
| Other 7 Individuals | Various | At Large |
The tribunal authorities have indicated that on the verdict day, all detailed evidence, including witness statements and exhibits, will be formally presented in court, which is expected to play a decisive role in the final judgement.