Prosecution receives investigation report on Shapla Chattar 'massacre'

The prosecution has received the investigation report into the alleged killings during the Hefazat-e-Islam rally in the capital's Shapla Chattar, with former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 40 others named as accused.

Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), Aminul Islam, confirmed the development on Sunday.

According to the investigation report, those accused, include former Army Chief General Aziz Ahmed, former Ekattor TV Editor-in-Chief Mozammel Haque Babu, the private television channel's former Chief Reporter Farzana Rupa, and journalist Shahriar Kabir. 

The then Inspector General of Police, the Director General of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner have also been named.

The investigation agency has already submitted the report to the prosecution, which is currently reviewing it. The report is scheduled to be formally submitted to the ICT on July 21.

Meanwhile, a delegation of 10 to 15 senior leaders of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh visited the Chief Prosecutor's office to inquire about the progress of the case. The delegation, led by the organisation's Senior Nayeb-e-Ameer Abdul Hamid (Madhupur Pir Sahib), met with the Chief Prosecutor on Sunday morning.

Among those, Hefazat Joint Secretary General Maulana Mamunul Haque, Mufti Harun Izhar, Mufti Mir Idris, and other leaders, were present.

On May 5, 2013, Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh held a rally at Shapla Chattar in Motijheel, Dhaka, to press its 13-point demands. After a day of tensions and clashes, police, RAB and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) carried out a joint overnight operation to clear the area. Allegations that numerous people were killed during the operation are currently under investigation by the International Crimes Tribunal.