The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-2 on Thursday sentenced six people to death and seven others to life imprisonment in connection with the killing of seven youths and the burning of six of their bodies in Ashulia during the July-August 2024 uprising. Two others received seven-year prison terms, while one approver (prosecution witness) was acquitted.
Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, chairman of the three-judge panel, pronounced the verdict. Following the judgment, death row convict Sub-Inspector Abdul Malek loudly expressed his dissatisfaction in the dock, claiming, "ASI Monir set the fire. The royal witness (SI Sheikh Abzalul Haque) was involved. Why was he sentenced in a false case? Those involved were not brought. Allah will judge." The six sentenced to death are former Savar MP Md Saiful Islam, former Ashulia officer-in-charge AFM Sayed Rony, sub-inspector Abdul Malek, assistant sub-inspector Bishwajit Saha, constable Mukul Chokdar, and local Jubo League leader Rony Bhuiyan.
Seven senior police officials received life sentences: former Dhaka Range deputy inspector general Syed Nurul Islam, former Dhaka superintendent of police Md Asaduzzaman Ripon, additional SP Abdullahil Kafi, additional SP Md Shahidul Islam, Inspector Masudur Rahman, Inspector Nirmal Kumar Das, and Inspector Arafat Hossain Arzu. Sub-inspector Arafat Uddin and assistant sub-inspector Kamrul Hasan were sentenced to seven years. Former sub-inspector Sheikh Abzalul Haque, who turned approver, was acquitted.
Of the 16 accused, eight are absconding-including Saiful Islam, Nurul Islam, Ripon, AFM Sayed Rony, Masudur Rahman, Nirmal Kumar Das, Bishwajit Saha, and Rony Bhuiyan-while eight are in custody, including additional SP Shahidul Islam, additional SP Kafi, inspector Arzu, sub-inspectors Arafat Uddin, Abdul Malek, Sheikh Abzalul Haque, assistant sub-inspector Kamrul Hasan, and constable Mukul Chokdar.
The case stems from the killing of six youths on August 5, 2024, when police allegedly shot the victims and burned their bodies on a van in Ashulia. One protester had been killed the previous day. A video of the scene, widely circulated on social media, helped the victims' families identify two of the deceased and drew nationwide outrage.
The tribunal formally took cognisance of the case on August 7, 2024, framing charges against all 16 accused on August 21. During the trial, 24 prosecution witnesses testified out of 63 listed in the charge sheet, while one defence witness also appeared. ICT-2 declared the case ready for verdict on January 20, 2026.
This is the first crimes against humanity verdict delivered by ICT-2, following two earlier judgments by ICT-1. The case specifically addresses the killing of seven protesters, although at least 29 people were reportedly killed in Ashulia during the uprising.
