Dhaka: The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Thursday accepted the unconditional apology of Mymensingh superintendent of police (SP) Syed Nurul Islam for his 'gross negligence' in informing the tribunal about the death of a fugitive war crimes suspect before pressing charges against him.

A two-member tribunal, led by Shahinur Islam, accepted the apology partially after the SP appeared before it.

However, the ICT directed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to submit his written explanation within 10 days in this regard.

Admitting his negligence, the SP said in the written statement steps have been taken against the accused persons in connection with the incident.

However, expressing dissatisfaction over the negligence of police, the tribunal said, aEarlier the Police department was so much active in investigating war crimes cases. But nowadays they show negligence in this regard. The trial process is being delayed due to the negligence of the police."

There was no signature of IGP in the report submitted to the ICT showing late Wajuddin a fugitive accused, it added.

On January 31, ICT summoned Mymensingh SP Syed Nurul Islam to explain his 'gross negligence' in informing the tribunal about the death Wajuddin.

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

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.

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 last, 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.