Former DMP Commissioner Habibur and Two Others Sentenced to Death

In a landmark ruling concerning crimes against humanity during the July mass uprising, a Dhaka court has handed down the death penalty to three former senior police officers, including ex-Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Habibur Rahman. The verdict was delivered on Monday by the International Crimes Tribunal-1, led by Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Majumder. The tribunal’s other two members are Justice Md. Shafiul Alam Mahmud and Justice Md. Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury.

Reading out the verdict, Justice Majumder sentenced former DMP Commissioner Habibur Rahman, former Deputy Commissioner Sudip Kumar Chakraborty, and former Additional Deputy Commissioner of Ramna Zone Shah Alam Md. Akhtarul Islam to death. In addition to the capital punishment, the tribunal ordered the seizure of all properties belonging to the three convicts.

Other police personnel were also handed prison terms for their involvement in the incident: former Assistant Commissioner of Ramna Zone Mohammad Imrul received six years, former Shahbagh police inspector Md. Arshad Hossain was sentenced to four years, while former constables Md. Sujon Hossain, Imaz Hossain, and Md. Nasirul Islam each received three years of imprisonment.

Among the accused, four remain fugitives—Habibur, Sudip, Akhtarul, and Imrul—while the remaining four—Arshad, Sujon, Imaz, and Nasirul—are in custody.

This verdict marks the second outcome in cases arising from crimes against humanity during the July uprising. The tribunal had previously issued its first ruling on 17 November of last year, sentencing former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and ex-Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan to death. Former Police Inspector General (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun received a five-year sentence, having admitted to his involvement and served as a prosecution approver.

The investigation report for the Chankharpul case was submitted on 21 April 2025 to the reconstituted tribunal, marking the first formal submission of evidence. On 25 May, the prosecution officially filed the charges, which were accepted the same day. Formal charges against eight accused were framed on 14 July 2025, and the tribunal’s Chief Prosecutor, Mohammad Tajul Islam, delivered the opening statement on 11 August, the same day that Shahriar Khan Anas’ father—the parent of a slain student—testified as the first witness.

A total of 26 prosecution witnesses were examined, along with defence witnesses. Testimonies concluded on 10 December, with closing arguments completed on 24 December. The verdict was originally scheduled for 20 January but was deferred, with Monday, 26 January, set as the final date for delivery.

Key Sentences and Sentences of Conviction

The Chankharpul case verdict underscores ongoing efforts by Bangladesh’s judiciary to hold perpetrators of human rights violations accountable.