Testimony of Syed Abdur Rauf
[Some sections missing]

My name is c. I am 60 years old. My father’s name is [redacted]; Address: [redacted] District- Pabna.

I am the Investigating Officer (IO) of this case. Currently, I am the Assistant Director of the International Crimes Tribunal Investigation Agency. After being appointed as the Investigating Officer for serial no. 133 of the Investigation Agency’s complaint register, dated 06/10/2024, I took charge of the investigation. During the investigation, I visited the place of occurrence. I interrogated the families of the martyrs, the victims, and other witnesses, and recorded their depositions. I reviewed and collected various news reports published in electronic and print media. I collected copies of reports published by various organizations, including the United Nations. I reviewed and collected information from various books published regarding the July Revolution. I collected and reviewed copies of the DMP (Dhaka Metropolitan Police) control room records, the Rampura Police Station General Diary (GD), and the duty command certificate (CC) of Rampura Police Station. I visited various government and private hospitals in the vicinity of the place of occurrence. I collected forensic reports. I analyzed Call Detail Records (CDR). I discussed the matters of the investigation with the Coordinator and Co-coordinator of the Investigation Agency.

During the investigation, on 27/01/2025, I applied for the issuance of an arrest warrant for the accused Chanchal Chandra Sarker, and on 09/03/2025, for the accused Md. Rashedul Islam, Md. Moshiur Rahman, and Tariqul Islam Bhuiyan in this case. Chanchal Chandra Sarker was arrested on the date the arrest warrant was issued.

During the investigation, on 06/08/2025 at 11:00 hours, I collected 8 items of video/CCTV footage on a pendrive from the International Crimes Tribunal Investigation Agency Library and seized them via a seizure list. (Previously marked Seizure List- 1; Seizure List, custody memo, and documentary evidence volume, pages 1-3). This is my signature on that seizure list (Exhibit 1/3). I handed over the original video to the custodian officer of the investigation agency’s library and record wing, SI Md. Anisur Rahman. I am submitting the original custody memo (jimmanama).

Defense: My lord, the exhibit was not done. Gazi Tamim (Prosecutor): It was done.

Defense: No, it has just been submitted but not displayed. The prosecution said it will only be displayed by the Investigating Officer. How can my learned friend say [otherwise]? Today is the day we anticipated. J

Judge 3: You will enjoy every liberty in the cross-examination.

This is that custody memo (Exhibit 12). This is my signature on that memo (Exhibit 12/1). Anisur Rahman’s signature is on that memo. I recognize Anisur Rahman’s signature. This is that signature (Exhibit 12/2). This is the pendrive in which the 8 videos are collected. This is that pendrive (Material Exhibit II).

Judge 3: Will you show the video?

Gazi Tamim: If the defense wants to see, we will show it.

Defense: We want to see it.

Judge 3: Please do it at the end to save time.

Defense: Okay.
(A debate ensued between the prosecution and defense regarding the screening of the video.)

On 10/04/2025 at 15:00 hours, at the presentation of SI Md. Anisur Rahman, the custodian officer of the Investigation Agency’s library and record wing, I seized one call record of Sheikh Hasina and Fazle Nur Taposh, a copy of the forensic report of said call record, and one voice message from the former Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner. I seized the pendrive containing the call record and voice message, along with the certified copy of the forensic report, via a seizure list and handed them over to the presenter, SI Md. Anisur Rahman, for custody. This is that seizure list (Previously marked 2; Seizure List, Custody Memo, and Documentary Evidence volume, pages 7 and 8). This is my signature on that seizure list (Exhibit 2/3). This is the custody memo (Exhibit 13). This is my signature on that memo (Exhibit 13/1). Anisur Rahman’s signature is on this memo. I recognize Anisur Rahman’s signature. This is that signature (Exhibit 13/2). I seized the mentioned evidence on a pendrive. This is that pendrive (Material Exhibit III). This is that forensic report (Exhibit 14, Seizure List, Custody Memo, and Documentary Evidence volume, pages 11-24). ASI Kamrul Hasan has previously submitted Habibur Rahman’s voice message, which is marked as an exhibit.

On 22/04/2025 at 15:00 hours, I seized certified copies of two forensic reports of video and voice messages from the office room of the Deputy Director of the Investigation Agency, Md. Alamgir, PPM, via a seizure list. This is that seizure list (Previously marked 8; Seizure List, Custody Memo, and Documentary Evidence volume, pages 25 and 26). This is my signature on that seizure list (Exhibit 8/3).

On 27/04/2025 at 13:00 hours, from the Investigation Agency library, at the presentation of SI Md. Anisur Rahman, I seized certified copies of 4 GDs (General Diaries) via a seizure list. This is that seizure list (Previously marked 3; Seizure List, Custody Memo, and Documentary Evidence volume, pages 41 and 42). This is my signature on that seizure list (Exhibit 3/3). I handed over the certified copies of the GDs to the presenter, SI Md. Anisur Rahman. This is that custody memo (Exhibit 16). This is my signature on this memo (Exhibit 16/1). Anisur Rahman’s signature is on that memo. I recognize his signature. This is that signature (Exhibit 16/2). These are the copies of those GDs (Exhibit 17, Seizure List, Custody Memo, and Documentary Evidence volume, pages 45-52).

On 15/05/2025 at 15:00 hours, from the Investigation Agency library, at the presentation of SI Md. Anisur Rahman, I copied the call record of Sheikh Hasina and Maksud Kamal onto a pendrive and seized it along with a certified copy of the forensic report via a seizure list. This is that seizure list (Previously marked 4; Seizure List, Custody Memo, and Documentary Evidence volume, pages 53 and 54). This is my signature on that seizure list (Exhibit 4/3). This is that pendrive (Material Exhibit IV). This is that forensic report (Exhibit 18, Seizure List, Custody Memo, and Documentary Evidence volume, pages 57-66). I handed over the forensic report to SI Md. Anisur Rahman for custody. This is that custody memo (Exhibit 19). This is my signature on that memo (Exhibit 19/1). Anisur Rahman’s signature is on this memo. I recognize his signature. This is his signature (Exhibit 19/2).

On 21/01/2025 at 15:00 hours, from the Investigation Agency library, at the presentation of SI Md. Anisur Rahman, I seized 8 items of certified documents, including 3 gazette notifications, via a seizure list. This is that seizure list (Exhibit 5, Seizure List, Custody Memo, and Documentary Evidence volume, pages 67-69). This is my signature on that seizure list (Exhibit 5/3). I handed over the 8 certified items, including the 3 gazette notifications, to the presenter SI Md. Anisur Rahman for custody. This is that custody memo (Exhibit 20). Md. Anisur Rahman’s signature is on that memo. I recognize his signature. This is that signature (Exhibit 20/2). These are those gazettes and papers (Exhibit 21, Seizure List, Custody Memo, and Documentary Evidence volume, pages 72-124).

On 27/05/2025 at 16:00 hours, from the Investigation Agency library, at the presentation of SI Md. Anisur Rahman, I seized certified copies of 17 different newspapers via a seizure list. This is that seizure list (Exhibit 6, Seizure List, Custody Memo, and Documentary Evidence volume). This is my signature on that seizure list (Exhibit 6/3). I handed over the certified copies of the 17 newspapers to SI Md. Anisur Rahman for custody. This is that custody memo (Exhibit 22). Md. Anisur Rahman’s signature is on that memo. I recognize his signature. This is that signature (Exhibit 22/2). These are those newspapers (Exhibit 23, Seizure List, Custody Memo, and Documentary Evidence volume).

On 29/05/2025 at 14:30 hours, from the Investigation Agency library, at the presentation of SI Md. Anisur Rahman, I seized 4 books:

Those who are Martyrs of the Second Independence during the July 2024 Revolution,

Mass Uprising of ’24: Reminiscence and History,

36th July: Victory of Students and Masses, Downfall of Fascism,

Collection of July Graffiti. I handed over the original books to the presenter for custody. This is that seizure list (Exhibit 7, Seizure List, Custody Memo, and Documentary Evidence volume). This is my signature on that seizure list (Exhibit 7/2).

On 29/07/2025 at 12:10 hours, I seized certified copies of 2 videos and 2 CCs (Command Certificates) in the duty officer’s room of Rampura Police Station, Dhaka Metropolitan, at the presentation of the Assistant Sub-Inspector. This is that seizure list (Exhibit 8, Seizure List, Custody Memo, and Documentary Evidence volume).

The collected newspapers, videos, audio clips, books, expert reports, and various reports from national and international organizations, along with the depositions of the families of the martyrs and the accused, prove that as part of the crimes against humanity conducted systematically and on a large scale against innocent, unarmed students and the masses across the country during the July Mass Uprising of 2024, the accused committed the crime of murder and caused grievous hurt by firing shots at the following location on 19th July 2024. (To be continued..)

[Section missing]

10 Dec am
On July 29, 2025, at 12:10 PM, upon presentation by the Duty Officer of Rampura Police Station, Dhaka Metropolitan, I seized certified copies of two General Diaries (GD) and two Command Certificates (CC) via a seizure list. This is that seizure list (Exhibit 02, page 240 of the Seizure List, Custody Receipt, and Documentary Evidence Volume); this is my signature on that seizure list (Exhibit 9/3). These are the copies of the GDs and CCs (Exhibit 26 series, pages 241-245 of the Seizure List, Custody Receipt, and Documentary Evidence Volume). I collected several pieces of data from the mentioned seizure list and various government and private organizations, which are mentioned on pages 1 to 407 of the Documentary Evidence and Information Source Volume. This is that Documentary Evidence of Information Sources (Exhibit 27 series), which includes seized evidence collected during the investigation under judicial notice, newspapers, video footage, audio clips, books, expert reports, various reports from national and international organizations, depositions of martyr family members and the injured. These relate to the crimes against humanity conducted systematically and by targeting innocent and unarmed students and the masses as part of the nationwide atrocities during the July mass uprising between July 1, 2024, and August 5, 2024. During this period, specifically on July 19, 2024, the accused shot and killed, or shot with the intent to kill, causing serious injury, at the following locations:

• • Killing of Nadim (38) by gunfire in the alley in front of Bonosree Jame Mosque, adjacent to the Rampura Police Station building located at Bonosree H-Block under Khilgaon Police Station.
  • Serious injury with intent to kill by shooting Mohammad Amir Hossain (18) on the third floor of the under-construction building of Dhaka South City Corporation next to the Bonosree Jame Mosque.
  • Killing of Maya Islam (60) by gunfire inside the collapsible gate under the stairs on the ground floor of House No. 56, Road 7, Block G, Bonosree (in front of Rampura Police Station), and serious injury with intent to kill by shooting her grandson, the child Baset Khan Musa (06).

Accused Habibur Rahman, former DMP Commissioner, instructed the use of lethal weapons against unarmed students and the masses via wireless messages and provided a reward of 1 lakh BDT to the OC of Rampura Police Station as a reward for the firing on students on July 19, 2024. He served as the Commissioner of DMP from March 1, 2023, to August 7, 2024.

Accused Md. Rashedul Islam, former ADC of Khilgaon Zone, DMP Dhaka, was present in the Bonosree-Rampura area on July 19, 2024, and provided instructions and supervision to his subordinate Rampura Police to fire upon innocent and unarmed students to suppress the movement. He served as ADC Khilgaon from November 12, 2022, to August 22, 2024.

Accused Mohammad Mashiur Rahman, former Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Rampura Police Station, DMP Dhaka, personally fired upon innocent and unarmed students on July 19, 2024, and instructed his subordinate Rampura Police to open fire. He served as the OC of Rampura Police Station from November 5, 2023, to August 7, 2024.

Accused Chanchal Chandra Sarkar, former ASI of Rampura Police Outpost, and Tariqul Islam, former SI of Rampura Police Station, fired upon innocent and unarmed students on July 19, 2024, using weapons issued in their names. Chanchal Chandra Sarkar was stationed at Rampura Police Station from January 12, 2023, to October 22, 2024, and Tariqul Islam Bhuiyan from October 24, 2022, to October 14, 2024.

As the allegations of committing the mentioned crimes were prima facie proven against the accused during the investigation and through evidence, I submitted the investigation report to the learned Chief Prosecutor for their trial under Sections 3 (2) (a) (g) (h), 4 (1) (2) (3), and 20 (2), 20 A of the International Crimes Tribunal Act 1973 against Habibur Rahman, Md. Rashedul Islam, Md. Mashiur Rahman, Chanchal Chandra Sarkar, and Tariqul Islam Bhuiyan.

Among the accused, Chanchal Chandra Sarkar is arrested, and the others are absconding.

This is my statement.

Cross-examination) on behalf of the present accused Chanchal Chandra Sarkar:

My name is not included among the witnesses I submitted; I am testifying as the Investigating Officer. (Ongoing)

Next date: December 15, 2025.

[Material missing]

6 Jan .

Defense (Adv. Arshadul Haque Babu assisting Adv. Sarwar Jahan Nippon): (Video being shown on screen)

Mr. Investigator, in the video that I am seeing, the monitor time was 19-07-2024 Fri 12:25 PM, was that shown?

Witness: In video number 3 of Object Exhibit II displayed on the monitor showed the date 19-07-2024 Friday and the time starting from 12:25:19 PM. However, the displayed time was not correct; the actual time was 3:30 PM.

Defense: Suggestion: The owner’s mobile was connected to the DVR of the monitor shown in the video.

Witness: It is not true that the owner’s mobile was connected to the DVR of the monitor shown in the video.

Suggestion: When the DVR of the monitor is connected online, the date and time automatically updates itself.

Witness: It is not true that when the DVR of the monitor is connected online, the date and time automatically updates itself. However, the DVRs of the latest versions update automatically, but the older ones do not update automatically.

Defense: (Suggestion) This DVR was of the latest version and multiple cameras were connected to the DVR.

Witness: It is not true that the DVR was of the latest version. However, multiple cameras were connected to the DVR.

Defense: (Video shown on screen) In the displayed video, at the disputed time of 12:26:19 PM, a bullet hit the collapsible gate, and then hit the Panjabi of a person standing inside the gate, causing the Panjabi to move.

Witness: Yes, in the displayed video, at the disputed time of 12:26:29 PM, a bullet hit the collapsible gate, and then hit the Panjabi of a person standing inside the gate, causing the Panjabi to move.

Defense: The victim, child Basit Khan Musa’s father, was seen holding him and taking him out from inside the collapsible gate?

Witness: (Affirms): The victim, child Basit Khan Musa’s father, was seen holding him and taking him out from inside the collapsible gate.

Defense: Suggestion: 20-25 people were seen coming out from inside the collapsible gate.

Witness: It is not true that 20-25 people were seen coming out from inside the collapsible gate.

Defense: At the disputed time, you did not make witnesses out of those who were dragging Maya Islam out.

Witness: At the disputed time, those who were dragging Maya Islam out, three of them have been listed as witnesses in this case; among them, Yakub (PW-4) has given testimony in this Tribunal.

Defense: From where did you collect the videos numbers 3 and 4 during the investigation?

Witness: I collected video numbers 3 and 4 from the library of an investigative agency during the investigation.

Defense: The said two videos are AI-generated.

Witness: It is not true that the said two videos are AI-generated videos.

8 Jan: cross exam

Cross-examination by the learned State Defence Counsel (Adv. Amir Hossain) in favour of absconding accused Habibur Rahman, Md. Rashedul Islam, Md. Mashiur Rahman and Toriqul Islam.

Defence: Suggestion: The police fired upon the protesters in accordance with the law

Witness: It is not true that the police fired upon the protesters in accordance with the law.

Defence: Suggestion: The police fired upon the protesters to maintain law and order

Witness: It is not true that the police fired upon the protesters to maintain law and order. No situation justifying firing had arisen at that time.

Defence: Suggestion: The protesters attacked the police station or committed arson at the time of the incident.

Witness: It is not true that the protesters attacked the police station or committed arson at the time of the incident.

Defence: Was the voice in the wireless message of DMP Commissioner Habibur Rahman examined by any local or foreign institution other than the CID?

Witness: The voice in the wireless message of DMP Commissioner Habibur Rahman was not examined by any local or foreign institution other than the CID.

Defence: Suggestion: The names of these accused did not appear in the reports published regarding the incident by the United Nations, other institutions, and various newspapers.

Witness: The names of these accused did not appear in the reports published regarding the incident by the United Nations, other institutions, and various newspapers. But descriptions of the incident are present therein.

Defence: Suggestion: The description mentioned in Exhibit 7 is malicious and untrue.

Witness: It is not true that the description mentioned in Exhibit 7 is malicious and untrue.

Defence: Suggestion: There is no mention in Rampura Police Station GD No. 538 dated 17/08/2024 to the effect that accused Toriqul Islam shot the victim Amir Hossain.

Witness: It is not true that there is no mention in Rampura Police Station GD No. 538 dated 17/08/2024 to the effect that accused Tarikul shot victim Amir Hossain.

Defence: Suggestion: According to the CDR, accused Tarikul Islam was under the coverage of the tower in ‘Ward Numbers 25 and 26, Khilgaon, Dhaka’.

Witness: According to the CDR, accused Tarikul Islam was under the coverage of the tower in ‘Ward Numbers 25 and 26, Khilgaon, Dhaka’, at the time of the incident.

Witness: It is not true that I have spoken untruthfully to the effect that (1) Mohammad Nadim (8) was killed by shooting in the alley in front of Banasree Jame Mosque adjacent to the Rampura Police Station building located at Block H, Banasree under Khilgaon Police Station… (3) Child Basit Khan Musa (6) was critically injured by shooting.

It is not true that I have spoken untruthfully regarding the statement given to the effect that accused Habibur Rahman …

It is not true that I have spoken untruthfully to the effect that accused Toriqul Islam Bhuiyan, former …[material missing]

Defence: Suggestion: You did not investigate properly.

Witness: It is not true that I did not investigate properly.

Defence: Suggestion: You have submitted the investigation report being influenced by any other agency.

Witness: It is not true that I have submitted the investigation report being influenced by any other agency.

[The Defence said that they want to give a DW (which is the accused Chanchal Chandra Sarker himself). The Prosecution replied that the defence should notify them on which point the they want to give the evidence. The Tribunal set the date for DW’s testimony on 13 January, 2026.]