Ex-IGP among 3 land in jail in Jahajbari ‘militant drama’ case

A case alleging the 2016 killing of nine youths in a staged “militant drama” at Jahajbari at Kalyanpur, landed three former top police officers including an inspector general of police, in jail Monday. 

The International Crimes Tribunal, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder, ordered the arrest of ex-IGP AKM Shahidul Haque, former DMP Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia, and ex-DMP Mirpur DC Md Jasim Uddin Mollah after a prosecution plea.  

The trio, produced before the tribunal as per a March 6 summons, faced charges of orchestrating the July 25, 2016, deaths to prop up Sheikh Hasina’s regime. 

Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam told the court the youths, detained earlier from across Bangladesh, were held—some for months—before being shot dead in the house and labelled militants. 

“It was a fear tactic,” he said, briefing reporters later alongside prosecutors Gazi Monawar Hussain Tamim and BM Sultan Mahmud.  

Justice Md Shafiul Alam Mahmud and Justice Md Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury joined Majumder in setting May 7 for a progress report and next hearing.