Formal charges have been filed in the case concerning the murder of Abu Saeed, a student of Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur, during the July Uprising. A total of 30 individuals have been accused in this case.
The formal charges were submitted by the prosecution to International Crimes Tribunal-2, led by Justice Md. Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, on Monday, June 30. A hearing regarding the acceptance of the charges by the Tribunal is scheduled for 11:30 AM.
The three-member judicial panel of International Crimes Tribunal-2, headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury and including retired District and Sessions Judge Md. Manjurul Bachhid and District and Sessions Judge Noor Mohammad Shahriar Kabir, is set to hear the matter.
Previously, the investigation agency of the International Crimes Tribunal submitted its report to the prosecution in the case of Abu Saeed's murder, which occurred during the anti-discrimination student movement in Rangpur. The report accused 30 individuals of crimes against humanity.
Prosecutor Md. Mizanul Islam informed journalists about the findings on Thursday, June 26, at the International Crimes Tribunal premises. The investigation agency had submitted the report to the Chief Prosecutor's office on June 24.
Prosecutor Md. Mizanul Islam stated that the investigation report concerning the murder of Abu Saeed, the first martyr of the July mass uprising from Begum Rokeya University, had been submitted. Among the 30 accused are former Begum Rokeya University Proctor Shariful Islam, former Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) of Police Amir Hossain, former Constable Sujan Chandra Roy, and banned Chhatra League leader Imran Chowdhury. However, Mizanul Islam declined to disclose the names of the remaining accused.
He further mentioned that based on the investigation report, other documents, and data related to the July movement, formal charges would be submitted. The formal charges will be presented to Tribunal-2.
Mizanul Islam confirmed that Abu Saeed was killed at 2:17 PM on July 16 of last year. He was standing openly and not attacking anyone when he was shot by two individuals.
Earlier, the judicial panel of International Crimes Tribunal-1, led by Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Mazumder and including Justice Md. Shafiul Alam Mahmud and retired District and Sessions Judge Md. Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury, had brought four accused in this case before the Tribunal.
Following this, the Tribunal granted permission to interrogate former Police ASI Amir Hossain and former Constable Sujan Chandra Roy on June 18, and former Begum Rokeya University Proctor Shariful Islam and banned Chhatra League leader Imran Chowdhury Akash on June 19.
Abu Saeed, a 25-year-old student of the 12th batch of the English department at Begum Rokeya University and a key coordinator of the university's quota reform movement, was shot at Park More in front of the university on July 16 as the movement for quota reform in government jobs spread across the country.
The video of unarmed Abu Saeed being shot in front of the university sparked widespread outrage across the country. The strong protests against his killing galvanized the quota reform movement, which ultimately led to a student-people uprising. As a result, Sheikh Hasina resigned from the Prime Minister's post and fled to India on August 5.
