Abu Sayed. File photo

DHAKA, April 09, 2026 (BSS) - The killing of Begum Rokeya University student Abu Sayed during the July Uprising became one of the most widely discussed incidents of the nationwide movement, eventually leading to a crimes against humanity trial at the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-2. 
 
Abu Sayed was the first martyr of the July Mass Uprising, and his death quickly engulfed the nation, intensifying the nationwide movement. As the tribunal prepares to deliver its verdict today, the following is a chronology of significant events leading up to the judgment.
 
According to the prosecution, on July 16, 2024, shortly before Abu Sayed's death, the then proctor allegedly forced students off the campus with the help of Chhatra League activists, after which two policemen reportedly fired at Abu Sayed at close range. He later collapsed and was declared dead upon arrival at Rangpur Medical College Hospital.
 
Abu Sayed's family lodged a complaint with the ICT on January 13, 2025, accusing 25 individuals in connection with the killing.
 
On April 9, the tribunal showed four accused - former sub-inspector Amir Hossain, former constable Sujan Chandra Roy, former proctor of Begum Rokeya University Shariful Islam, and general secretary of the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League's (BCL) varsity unit Imran Chowdhury Akash - arrested in the case. Later, former assistant registrar Rafiul Hasan Russel and former staffer Md Anwar Pervej were also arrested.
 
On June 24, the investigation agency submitted its probe report accusing 30 individuals, including the then Rangpur Metropolitan Police commissioner.
 
On June 30, 2025, ICT-2 issued arrest warrants against 26 fugitives, including former BRUR vice-chancellor Professor Dr Md Hasibur Rashid, former Rangpur Metropolitan Police commissioner Md Moniruzzaman, former deputy police commissioner Mohammed Abu Maruf Hossain, former additional deputy police commissioner Md Shah Nur Alam Patwari, former assistant commissioner Md Arifuzzaman, former officer-in-charge of Tajhat Police Station Robiul Islam, sub-inspector Bivuti Bhushan Roy and Dr Sarwar Hussain Chandan.
 
On July 22, the tribunal appointed six state defence counsels to represent the fugitive accused in absentia.
 
The tribunal framed charges against all 30 accused on August 6, 2025.
 
Abu Sayed's octogenarian father, Makbul Hossain, testified as the first prosecution witness on August 28, 2025. Testimony in the case concluded with the completion of cross-examination of the 25th prosecution witness, investigation officer Ruhul Amin, on January 13, 2026.
 
Arguments in the case began on January 20 and ended on January 27, when the tribunal kept the matter under CAV (curia advisari vult), a Latin legal term meaning the court reserved its verdict after concluding the hearing.
 
The three-member tribunal, headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Mazumder, on March 5 fixed April 9 for pronouncing the verdict in the case.