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Published : 13 Jan 2026, 05:34 PM
The Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) has said it is “facing pressure” over its recommendation to clear former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 112 others over “attempted murder” during the July Uprising, insisting that the case itself was riddled with factual flaws.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the PBI said the alleged victim named in the case -- a man called Shahed Ali -- could not be located, prompting investigators to conclude that the prosecution narrative was “fundamentally unreliable”.
PBI Inspector Shahjahan Bhuiyan submitted the final report to the court on Nov 5.
The next hearing is scheduled for Feb 3.
Following widespread discussion in the media and on social media, the PBI issued a clarification on Tuesday.
In a media statement, the agency said the case was filed with Dhanmondi Police on Sept 3, 2024, by Md Sharif, 37, a resident of Hazaribagh Tannery zone.
He named Shahed, 27, as an injured victim and claimed he was his younger brother, although their addresses differed.
Nine others from Dhaka College and City College were also listed as injured, but only by name.
The incident allegedly took place near Dhanmondi 27 Meena Bazar around 11am on Aug 4.
The complainant named 113 suspects, including Hasina.
The PBI said investigators found that no person named Shahed Ali had ever lived at the address mentioned in the FIR and that he was not the complainant’s brother.
Verification showed the NID card cited in the case was fake, with no registered mobile number.
The FIR also claimed the victim had a business at Shimanto Square, but inquiries with the market committee and on-site checks found no such person.
College authorities were unable to provide information about the other alleged victims due to unavailability of full addresses.
Despite repeated notices, the complainant failed to produce any victim or provide complete and accurate details.
Evidence from the alleged scene also showed that no such incident had occurred at the stated time and place.
“Considering all aspects, the final report was submitted citing factual errors,” the PBI said.
The agency added that it is investigating cases linked to the Anti-discrimination Student Movement with sincerity.
It said evidence has been found in 17 general register cases, leading to chargesheets, while reports have been filed in 67 complaint register cases after incidents were proven.
Among the suspects are Hasina’s son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, former ministers Hasan Mahmud, Mohammad A Arafat and Zunaid Ahmed Palak, Jahangir Kabir Nanok, Mahbubul Alam Hanif, Shamim Osman, and Bangladesh Chhatra League leaders Saddam Hossain and Sheikh Wali Asif Enan.
Police earlier arrested four suspects in the case: Shakil Hossain Imran, Kamrul Hasan alias Kamu, Maruf Hossain and Masud Rana Bepari.
