Charge Framing Order

This is the full text of the Charge Framing Order (written originally in English)

Today is fixed for passing order on charge framing inclusive of the discharge petitions filed by the accused 1. Rashed Khan Menon and 2. Md. Qamrul Islam. Both the accused filed two separate applications entreating discharge from the allegations labelled against them.

In the discharge applications the accused claimed and contended

(1) that they are completely innocent,

(2) that they did not have any complicity in the acts complained of,

(3) that they did not order for imposing curfew, using drone, helicopters and lethal weapons,

(4) that they did not hold any command status and as such cannot be held liable under superior command responsibilities,

(5) that they did not play any role in the killing of 1400 people and injuring 25,000 people as alleged,

(6) that they prosecution could not make any prima facie case against them,

(7) that they have baselessly been implicated in the case,

(8) that there is no evidence on the part of the prosecution in support of the allegations against them and

(9) that in the circumstances they deserve to be discharged from the accusations.

The learned defence counsel made submissions accordingly. On the other hand, the learned Chief Prosecutor urged that the contentions of the accused petitioners cannot now be resolved without trial.

In consideration of the formal charge and the documents submitted therewith, the submissions of the learned Chief Prosecutor, the discharge applications as well as the submissions of the learned defence counsels we find that there are sufficient grounds to hold trial of the alleged offences by framing charge. The grounds raised by the defence cannot be settled at the moment without scrutiny of the evidences through trial and thereupon the discharge applications are hereby disallowed and hence the following charges are framed against the accuseds.

Charge

Names and particulars of the accuseds:

1. Rashed Khan Menon

Former Minister of Bangladesh and former Member of Parliament. He is also the President of Bangladesh Workers’ Party. He is the son of late Abdul Jabbar Khan and late Saleha Khatun. His addresses are as follows: Permanent Address: [redacted] Barishal. Present address: [redacted] Dhaka.

2. Md. Kamrul Islam

Presidium Member of Bangladesh Awami League and Former Minister. He is the son of late Hakim Khorshedul Islam and Halima Khatun Chowdhurani. His Address is [redacted] Dhaka Metropolitan city.

[The charges were then read out and can be read here]

The charges have been read over & explained to the accused in dock and they were asked as to whether they would plead guilty or not whereto they pleaded not guilty and sought justice.

Let 09.06.2026 be fixed for the opening statement and examination of the prosecution witness. Prosecution is directed to submit copies of all the documents it relies upon, for the purpose of furnishing the same to the defence, if, meanwhile, the same are not supplied to the defence.

The defence shall be at liberty to submit a list of witnesses along with the documents, if any, which the defence intends to rely upon, as required under section 9(5) of the Act on or before the date fixed.