Rampura Shooting Verdict Set

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 has fixed 4 March for the delivery of its verdict in a high-profile case stemming from the July 2024 uprising, in which a young man was shot while hanging from the cornice of a building in the Rampura area of Dhaka.The three-member tribunal, headed by Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder, announced the date on Sunday, according to Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim. The case has been brought under charges of crimes against humanity in connection with events during the mass anti-discrimination student movement in July 2024.

Background to the Case

The principal victim, Amir Hossain, was returning home after Friday prayers on 19 July 2024 when clashes reportedly broke out between demonstrators and police in Rampura. According to his testimony, he fell amid a chase and, as police opened fire, fled to the fourth floor of an unfinished building seeking refuge.

Prosecutors allege that police officers pursued him to the upper floors. There, officers allegedly pointed firearms at him and repeatedly ordered him to jump. One officer reportedly fired several warning shots. Terrified, Amir leapt and clung to exposed steel reinforcement bars protruding from the structure.

It is alleged that an officer standing on the third floor then fired six rounds directly at him, striking both of his legs. Bleeding heavily, Amir eventually dropped to the third floor after police departed the scene. Nearly three hours later, he was rescued by a student and two doctors and taken first to a local hospital, before being transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Despite the severity of his injuries, he survived.

The indictment also includes charges relating to the fatal shooting of two other individuals in the same locality on the same day.

Accused and Legal Status

Five former police officers have been named as accused. Four remain absconding, while one is currently in custody.

The tribunal framed charges earlier this month, formally commencing trial proceedings. Prosecutors argue that the alleged actions constituted systematic and grave violations committed during a period of civil unrest, warranting prosecution under international crimes statutes.

The forthcoming verdict is widely anticipated, as it is among the first major rulings linked to the July 2024 uprising. Legal observers suggest the judgement may set an important precedent regarding accountability for alleged abuses by law enforcement during times of political upheaval.

The court’s decision on 4 March is expected to draw significant public and political attention, given the gravity of the allegations and the broader implications for justice and institutional reform.