May 5, One Era of Brutality upon Hefazat-e-Islam

May 5, 2025, marks twelve years since the controversial crackdown on the non-political Islamic group Hefazat-e-Islam at Shapla Square in Motijheel, Dhaka. On May 5, 2013, thousands of Hefazat members gathered to press home their 13-point demand, but the peaceful demonstration ended in a violent overnight military-style operation led by then Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Benazir Ahmed, cod

The exact death toll from the operation remains disputed and shrouded in mystery. However, human rights organization Odhikar reported that at least 61 Hefazat members were killed during the operation. The government at the time, led by the Awami League, disputed the numbers and later prosecuted Odhikar’s leaders under the controversial Section 57 of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Act.

Following a mass civil uprising in July last year that led to the fall of the Awami League government, calls for accountability have intensified. On March 12, a formal complaint regarding the Shapla Square incident was filed at the reconstituted International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in Dhaka, citing crimes against humanity.

The complaint names several high-profile individuals, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former State Minister for Home Affairs Shamsul Haque Tuku, former IGPs Benazir Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud Khandker, and several high-ranking officials in law enforcement and the intelligence community. It also includes political leaders and prominent figures associated with the Shahbagh-based Gonojagoron Mancha and several media executives.

Azizul Haque Islamabadi submitted the complaint on behalf of Hefazat leaders Junaid Al Habib and Mawlana Mamunul Haque. A separate but related complaint was filed by supporters of Mufti Harun Izahar, naming other political and administrative figures. “We have substantial evidence, and we expect the Tribunal to proceed with a full investigation,” said Mamunul Haque.

On December 8, the Tribunal’s assistant director and case investigator Fateh Md. Iftekharul Alam issued a formal request to the police department, seeking detailed information on the operation. The request includes the security plan, list of officers involved, types of weapons and ammunition used, and any administrative investigation reports conducted following the operation.

The Tribunal has reportedly begun receiving information identifying specific officers and their roles in the crackdown, which allegedly included coordinated gunfire and enforced disappearances under the cover of a citywide blackout.

The complaint frames the crackdown as a premeditated attack on civilians, potentially constituting crimes against humanity under international law. Among those being investigated are several former police and intelligence officials, political leaders, and members of the media accused of supporting or covering up the incident.

With growing demands for justice, victims’ families and rights groups are hopeful that the investigation will uncover the full truth and bring the perpetrators to justice. "We want accountability. No one should be above the law," a spokesperson from a civil society coalition said.

The International Crimes Tribunal has confirmed that the case is under active investigation and further updates will follow as more evidence is gathered.