Verdict today in the case against Hanif and three other Awami League leaders over six killings in Kushtia, as prosecution seeks the maximum punishment

The verdict in a crimes against humanity case over the killing of six people in Kushtia during the July 2024 mass uprising will be delivered today, Thursday. The verdict will determine the fate of four leaders of the Awami League, whose activities are banned.

Alongside Awami League joint general secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif, the accused are the party's Kushtia district president Sadar Uddin Khan, general secretary Azgar Ali and town general secretary Ataur Rahman Ata. All four accused are currently absconding; state-appointed lawyer Amir Hossain is conducting their legal fight on their behalf.

The prosecution has brought three charges against the accused in this crimes against humanity case. The first charge concerns Hanif's incitement, instigation and assistance in suppressing the July uprising; the second mentions an order to use maximum force to suppress the movement in Kushtia; and the third concerns the four leaders' involvement in the killing of six people in Kushtia town on August 5, 2024.

The first charge says Hanif was present with Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader on July 15, 17 and 30 and August 3, 2024, and supported the inciting remarks made at those meetings. It also says that in a speech at a discussion at the National Press Club on July 29, he labelled the protesters 'Jamaat', 'terrorists' and 'communal' and gave incitement, instigation and assistance for killing and torture to suppress the movement.

The prosecution alleges that, in order to make the power of the then government led by Sheikh Hasina absolute and long-lasting, Hanif supported a plan to use lethal weapons against the protesters. The charge also says he supported a decision to implement a plan to identify protesters by drone, fix their positions and targets, and suppress the movement by firing from helicopters.

The second charge states that on July 27, 2024, leaders including Sadar Uddin Khan, Azgar Ali and Ataur Rahman Ata met at the Kushtia district Awami League office under Hanif's leadership. At the meeting, Hanif described the peaceful movement of innocent, unarmed students and people as 'terrorist activity' and ordered the use of maximum force to suppress the movement in Kushtia town, according to the charge.

The third charge concerns the shooting deaths of six people in Kushtia town on August 5, 2024. The dead include worker Ashraful Islam, Suruj Ali Babu, student Abdullah Al Mustakin, Usama, businessman Bablu Farazi and employee Yusuf Sheikh.

The prosecution alleges that on August 5, people of various classes and professions in Kushtia took to the streets in solidarity with the 'March to Dhaka' programme demanding Sheikh Hasina's resignation as its one-point demand. At about 10 a.m., thousands of students and people gathered at Hospital Mor in the town and tried to advance peacefully from Chowrhas towards Mozampur; but, in continuation of Hanif's plan and directions, Awami League leaders and activists fired on the protesters, with police sheltering them and in some cases firing together with the police.

According to the charge, between 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. on August 5, six people were shot dead at various places in Kushtia town. Ashraful Islam was shot about 50 yards north of Bok Chattar, Suruj Ali Babu in Barmiz Goli, Abdullah Al Mustakin and Usama in front of Aarong on the road towards Haripur, Bablu Farazi in the Tulapatti lane, and Yusuf Sheikh on the road opposite the Fire Service.

Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim said Hanif was the Awami League's joint general secretary and, as part of the government, accepted the decision to suppress the July uprising movement; at the same time he implemented everything to suppress the movement through his subordinates. He was a civilian leader and implemented these things by ordering subordinates or speaking by telephone, the prosecutor said.

Gazi MH Tamim added that the tribunal has given the maximum sentence for the same crime to Awami League president Sheikh Hasina, general secretary Obaidul Quader and joint general secretary Bahauddin Nasim; therefore they hope the tribunal will give Mahbubul Alam Hanif the same punishment from the same position. The prosecution concluded its arguments on October 5 seeking the maximum sentence for Hanif and the four accused.

On the course of the case, prosecution information says the investigation began on March 25, 2025; the investigation report was submitted on September 11 that year, the prosecution filed the formal charge before the tribunal on October 5 and it was taken into cognisance the next day. Tribunal-2 later framed formal charges against the four accused and ordered the trial to begin.

A total of 19 people, including the investigating officer, testified for the prosecution in the case; 36 series of documents and five material exhibits were also presented. After arguments and rebuttals ended, Tribunal-2 kept the case waiting for verdict. On Tuesday (October 27), the same tribunal fixed Thursday for delivering the verdict.