DHAKA, July 2, 2025 (BSS) - The International Crimes Tribunal-2 (ICT-2) today took into cognizance the formal charges in a crimes against humanity case filed over the shooting of six youths in Ashulia, killing five of them, burning their bodies along with another youth still alive during the July-August mass uprising to conceal the evidence.

The three-judge panel of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-2 led by Justice Md Nazrul Islam Chowdhury passed the order, asking eight, who have been arrested already and are now behind bars, of the 16 accused to be produced on July 13.

It also issued arrest warrant against eight other accused, including former lawmaker Muhammad Saiful Islam and former deputy inspector general of police Nurul Islam. The second tribunal adjourned the hearing till July 13.

Earlier in the morning, the prosecution filed the formal charge against 16 people at the office of the ICT Registrar. The matter was later mentioned at the second tribunal.

The other accused in the case include - former additional superintendent of police (crimes and ops) Md Abdullahil Kafi, former additional superintendent of police (Savar circle) Md Shahidul Islam, former officer in-charge AFM Sayed, former detective branch (DB) inspector Md Arafat Hossain, former assistant sub-inspectors (SIs) Abdul Malek, Arafat Uddin, Sheikh Abzalul Haque, Bishwajit Saha, Kamrul Hasan, and former constable Mukul Chokder.

The investigation agency of the ICT on June 19 filed the probe report in the case.

According to the prosecution, police members in Ashulia on August 5, 2024, allegedly shot and killed five youths, injuring another and put their bodies into a police van. The van was then set ablaze in an attempt to make it appear as if the protesters had torched the vehicle, resulting in the deaths.

"More tragically, one of the victims was still alive when the fire was set. Police poured petrol on the van and burned him alive," Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam told newsmen earlier.