Dhaka: The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Tuesday summoned Mymensingh superintendent of police (SP) Syed Nurul Islam to explain his ‘gross negligence’ in informing the tribunal about the death of a fugitive war crimes suspect before pressing charges against him.

A two-member bench of the ICT, led by Shahinur Islam, asked the SP to appear before it on February 16.

It also ordered the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to submit a written explanation about the matter before the tribunal.

“The negligence of police can’t be tolerated as it happens very often,” the ICT bench made the observation during the hearing on a petition filed by the prosecution, said ICT prosecutor Hrishikesh Saha.

War crimes suspect Wajuddin Fakir of Phulbaria upazila of Mymensingh who had been on the run for a long time died on May 7, 2016, the persecutor said.

On December 11 last, police pressed charges against Wajuddin showing him a fugitive accused.

A month later, SP Syed Nurul Islam informed the tribunal about Wajuddin’s death.

On January 19 this year, the prosecution filed a petition with the tribunal to drop Wajuddin‘s name from the chargesheet and take legal steps against those who were awfully negligent in informing the death news in time.

Khorshed Ali, son of martyred Taleb Mandal, a freedom fighter of Bhalukjan village in Phulbaria upazila, filed the case against three war crimes suspects, including Wajuddin.

According to the case statement, Amzad, Riaz Uddin and Wajuddin had led many crimes against humanity, including mass killing, torturing, looting and rape during the Liberation War.