Shapla Chattar Killings: Investigation Report Names Sheikh Hasina and 40 Others

The prosecution has received the investigation report into the alleged killings linked to the Hefazat-e-Islam rally at Shapla Chattar in Dhaka, with former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 40 others named as accused.

International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam confirmed the matter on Sunday morning.

The investigation report lists several high-profile figures among the accused, including former army chief General Aziz Ahmed, former Ekattor TV Editor-in-Chief Mozammel Haque Babu, the channel’s former chief reporter Farzana Rupa, journalist Shahriar Kabir, as well as the former inspectors general of police and the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and the then commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP).

The ICT investigation agency has submitted the report to the prosecution, which is now examining its findings.

The prosecution is expected to formally present the investigation report before the International Crimes Tribunal on 21 July.

Meanwhile, a delegation of 10 to 15 senior leaders from Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh visited the Chief Prosecutor’s Office on Sunday to seek updates on the case.

The delegation, led by the organisation’s Senior Nayeb-e-Amir Abdul Hamid, also known as the Madhupur Pir Sahib, held a meeting with Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam. Hefazat Joint Secretary General Maulana Mamunul Haque, Mufti Harun Izhar, Mufti Mir Idris, and other senior leaders were also present.

On 5 May 2013, Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh organised a large rally at Shapla Chattar in Dhaka’s Motijheel area, presenting a 13-point list of demands.

After a day marked by heightened tensions and clashes, a joint operation involving police, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) cleared the area late at night.

Claims that a large number of people were killed during the operation are now being investigated by the International Crimes Tribunal.