Former Dhaka Police Commissioner Among Three Officers Sentenced to Death

Three police officers, including former Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Habibur Rahman, have been sentenced to death by Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal over the shooting of a young man and the killing of two others during the July 2024 student-led protests.

The tribunal also sentenced former Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Chanchal Chandra Sarkar of the Rampura Police Outpost to 20 years in prison. Former Sub-Inspector (SI) Tarikul Islam received a life sentence. The verdict was delivered on Sunday at noon by International Crimes Tribunal-1, led by Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Majumder, alongside Justice Md. Shafiul Alam Mahmud and Judge Md. Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury.

During the trial, prosecutors presented testimony from 13 witnesses, including the lead investigating officer. Final arguments from both the prosecution and defense concluded on June 15.

Four defendants remain fugitives: former DMP Commissioner Habibur Rahman, former Khilgaon Zone Additional Deputy Commissioner Md. Rashedul Islam, former Rampura Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Mashiur Rahman, and former SI Tarikul Islam Bhuiyan.

According to prosecutors, on July 19, 2024, Amir Hossain climbed an unfinished building along the Banasree–Meradia Road in Rampura while trying to escape police gunfire during the student-led protests. Police allegedly pursued him to the rooftop. As he hung from the building's ledge holding onto steel rods, an officer fired six rounds at him. Amir survived but suffered serious injuries.

On the same day, two civilians Nadim and Maya Islam were fatally shot by police in the Banasree area. The tribunal found the defendants responsible for crimes related to the shooting and the two killings.