The International Crimes Tribunal (ITC) has given investigators two months to complete their probe against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina over allegations of 'genocide and other crimes against humanity' in her attempt to restrict the student-led mass movement that toppled her government, reports bdnews24.com.
The judicial panel of three - led by Justice Mohammad Golam Mortuza Mozumder - issued the order on Tuesday.
The other tribunal members are Justice Shariful Alam Mahmud and Justice Md Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury.
The tribunal gave authorities two months to complete the investigation, instructing them to submit the report on February 18. It scheduled the next hearing for the same day.
"We have to conduct an investigation against Sheikh Hasina over the complaints of genocide and enforced disappearances and submit the report. We sought time to do that," Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam told the media.
He said they would work to ensure that the investigation team could submit the report, or at least a progress report, by the set date.
"We're trying our best," he added.
Hasina was the 'nucleus of the secret prison' for the last 16 years, Tajul said. "From the investigation report prepared by the commission on enforced disappearances, we received some information and data about her crimes. The tribunal has accepted them and is conducting an investigation. We'll submit a report on that as well."
The chief prosecutor also said an investigation against cabinet members of the former government, including Obaidul Quader and Abdur Razzaque, was ongoing.
"During interviews, the commission found information that those ministers were involved in enforced disappearance cases or played some role in them."
In addition, the court asked the law-enforcing agencies for an explanation on how Quader had remained in the country for three months after an arrest warrant was issued for him and then fled abroad.
The court ordered an explanation in 15 days, the chief prosecutor said.
The law has a provision to book anyone helping a person to flee in defiance of a court order, Tajul said.
ACC to probe graft allegations against Hasina, family members.
