Sheikh Abzalul Haque, a former sub-inspector (SI) at Ashulia Police Station, testified on Wednesday as the 23rd prosecution witness (PW) at the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-2 in a crime against humanity case filed on August 5, 2024, for the killing of seven youths and the subsequent burning of six of their bodies in Ashulia.
In his brief testimony, Abzalul said that then-officer-in-charge (OC) AFM Sayed and assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Biswajit Saha poured fuel on the bodies of six demonstrators and set them on fire. The former SI also stated that he was not there at the scene during the fire; he learnt about it only after returning to the police station on August 15, 2024, to deposit the handgun issued in his name.
"Around 4:00 pm (August 5, 2024), a group of students and local citizens approached the police station in a triumph procession. At the time, acting on the OC's direct orders, ASI Bishwajit and other police officers from another unit opened fire on them. Several protestors immediately dropped to the ground, bleeding from gunshot wounds. Later, on the OC's orders, numerous police officers put the remains onto a three-wheeler van and then transferred them to a police pickup van," he stated.
Abzalul stated that the OC was later observed speaking with SI Abdul Malek and ASI Bishwajit. "When I got close to them, they stopped talking. It dawned to me that they were planning something else with the bodies. I became nervous and realised it would be unsafe for me to stay there any longer. I then went inside the station, removed my protective jacket, put my pistol into the front of my trousers in plain clothing, and strolled out as an ordinary citizen," he explained.
The accused-turned-approver says he was detained in May 2025. However, out of appreciation for the martyrs' sacrifice and guided by his conscience, he applied to be an approver in the case without provocation or incentive.
"My objective was to help the tribunal by presenting accurate information so that I could repay my due to the martyrs. I regret that I could not help them at the time, and I truly apologise to the martyrs' families and the tribunal," he said.
Following the conclusion of his testimony, the defence began cross-examining him, but they were unable to complete the process by the end of the day.
On August 21, the tribunal filed accusations against the 16 accused in the case. Eight of them are currently in custody. Seven pleaded not guilty and sought justice. However, SI Sheikh Abzalul Haque pleaded guilty and requested permission to become an approver.
Former Additional Superintendent of Police (Crimes and Operations) Md Abdullahil Kafi, former ASP (Savar Circle) Md Shahidul Islam, former DB Inspector Md Arafat Hossain, former sub-inspectors Abdul Malek and Arafat Uddin, former assistant SI Kamrul Hasan, and former constable Mukul Chokder have all pleaded not guilty to the charges.
"29 persons were slain during the rebellion in Savar. One person was killed on August 4, and six the next day. The defendants committed one crime by murdering the innocents and another by burning their remains on August 5, according to the prosecution.
On July 16, the tribunal issued public notices in two national dailies summoning eight fugitive suspects to surrender. It stated that if they fail to do so, the trial will take place in their absence.
Earlier on July 2, ICT-2 took cognisance of the formal charges, which accuse the defendants of shooting six adolescents on August 5, 2024, killing five of them instantaneously and burning their bodies, as well as another injured juvenile, allegedly in an attempt to destroy evidence. That day, arrest warrants were issued for eight fugitive suspects, including former lawmaker Muhammad Saiful Islam and former Deputy Inspector General of Police Nurul Islam.
On June 19, the ICT investigative agency filed its probe report.
According to the prosecution, police placed the victims' bodies in a vehicle and set it on fire to make it appear that demonstrators had burnt it. One victim was apparently still alive when the fire started.
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