Police recommend dropping ‘fake’ July killing charges against Hasina, 83 others

Investigators say the complainant admitted he did not know the woman he claimed was his wife or whether anyone by that name had died

Police have recommended the acquittal of Sheikh Hasina and 83 others in a case involving the alleged murder of a woman during the July Uprising after investigations revealed the entire incident was “fabricated”.

The investigating officer, Sub-Inspector Shahadat Hossain of Mohammadpur Police Station, submitted the final report to the court on Apr 27.

In the report, the officer noted that the complainant Mohammad Sumon admitted to filing the case following “financial inducements and pressure from certain individuals”.

Police urged the court to proceed against Sumon over allegations of a false complaint rather than the suspects.

The case was lodged on Feb 14, 2025, claiming Sumon’s wife, identified only as Fatema, was shot dead on Aug 4, 2024 during the protests in Mohammadpur.

Those named in the case included former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Obaidul Quader, Nasrul Hamid Bipu, and several top former police officials.

While seven individuals were arrested during the initial phase of the investigation -- including Kamrul Islam and Abdul Mukit Majumder -- police now seek the discharge of all 84 people linked to the case.

Following a hearing on May 11, Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Jamsed Alam set Jun 24 for the next proceeding.

The investigation report says the complainant could not provide supporting documents such as hospital records or death certificates for Fatema, nor any proof of burial.

Police said checks at a graveyard in Ashulia found that it does not allow public burials without formal approval and confirmed no such burial took place.

Investigators also found no record of any female death in Mohammadpur linked to the movement, despite 23 deaths reported in the area during the unrest.

According to the final report, Sumon told investigators he did not personally know Fatema and was unaware of any such death.

He told police “he had filed the case after being persuaded and financially tempted by some individuals, without fully understanding whom he was accusing”.

When he later realised the implications, Sumon contacted those involved, but they allegedly told him there was no way to back out. Fearing consequences, he went into hiding and lost interest in pursuing the case.

Police later failed to trace him despite repeated attempts.

Lawyer Mostafa Al Mamun, representing one of the suspects, said such cases have become widespread, claiming political misuse of legal processes.

He said, “We do not want this. No one should be harassed unnecessarily. Such cases should not happen again.”

Repeated attempts to contact Sumon were unsuccessful.