Former IGP Mamun is the accused in the Shapla Chatwar massacre case

Photo: Collected

News Desk: Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun is being made an accused in multiple cases, including the Shapla Chattar incident killings and alleged “crossfire” incidents during his tenure in Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).

This information was confirmed on Wednesday (April 15) by Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam of the International Crimes Tribunal.

The Chief Prosecutor said that he could not disclose all the names of the accused at this moment. However, involvement of many officials, including then IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, has been found. He expressed hope that a full report would be available within the next few days, as the investigation agency is currently working on it.

Aminul Islam also stated that those involved in this “heinous massacre” will not be spared. He said the brutal incident at Shapla Chattar had shaken the conscience of people around the world. Anyone found involved in crimes against humanity—whether civilians or members of law enforcement—will be brought under the law.

The case is currently under investigation. April 5 was initially set as the date for submitting the report, but following a request from the prosecution, the tribunal rescheduled it to June 7. The tribunal is led by Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Majumder.

Six individuals have already been arrested in this case. They include former State Minister for Home Affairs Shamsul Haque Tuku, retired Major General Ziaul Ahsan, former IGP AKM Shahidul Haque, former Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Mollah Nazrul Islam, President of the advisory council of Ekattorer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee Shahriar Kabir, and former DIG Abdul Jalil Mondol.

According to prosecution sources, the investigation agency has found evidence of Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun’s involvement in the extrajudicial killings during the 2013 Hefazat-e-Islam rally at Shapla Chattar in Motijheel. He will be formally charged in this case.

In a separate case involving crimes against humanity during the July mass uprising, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal were sentenced to death. In the same case, Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who testified as an “approver” (state witness), was sentenced to five years in prison.