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Published : 02 Mar 2026, 01:20 AM
Investigation officers have submitted reports to the court recommending acquittal for 494 individuals, including former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, in three separate murder cases tied to deaths during the July Uprising.
The reports, citing “factual errors” in the original cases, cover the killings of truck driver Md Jahangir, WASA water line worker Zakir Hossain, and shoe factory employee Romjan Mia Jibon.
Conflicting Case Filings
The probe revealed discrepancies in the murder cases.
While the victims’ families filed cases after the deaths of Jahangir, Zakir, and Jibon, three other individuals filed separate cases.
The latter set of cases alleged the deaths occurred in Bhatara Police Station jurisdiction -- the same area where the cases were filed -- but the families’ complaints indicated different locations.
Jahangir’s family said he died on Jul 21, 2024, at the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital in Agargaon while under treatment.
His father Md Bashir Sheikh filed a case in Ullapara, Sirajganj.
Zakir’s mother Rokeya alias Michili Begum filed a case with Kadamtali Police, saying he was shot on Jul 21, 2024 near South Donia Gwalbari Mor, Kadamtali while returning home.
Jibon was shot on Aug 5, 2024, near Dhaka’s Bangabandhu Avenue, and died at Dhaka Medical College Hospital on Oct 9, 2025. His father Jamal Uddin lodged a complaint in court.
Originally, the reports for the three murder cases were due on Jan 25, but investigators could not submit them.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Ehsanul Islam set Mar 2 as the next submission date.
Prosecution Police Sub-inspector Kamal Hossain said, “In the meantime, the final reports of the three cases have reached the court. The court reviewed the reports on Feb 24. The next hearing is scheduled for Monday.”
Jahangir Murder Case
During the July Uprising, on Jul 20, 2024, leaders of the Awami League and its affiliated organisations allegedly attacked protestors near Kuril Joar Sahara Central Jame Mosque under Bhatara Police Station.
“Truck driver Md Jahangir and Shafiqul were injured. Attempts to take them to hospital were blocked. Jahangir was almost burned alive by the assailants,” the report said.
Shafiqul secretly took Jahangir to the National Institute of Neurosciences. Despite treatment, Jahangir died on Jul 21, 2024, at 3:30pm.
Investigating officer SI Nesar Uddin confirmed that the actual incident occurred in Ullapara, Sirajganj, not Bhatara.
Since the body had already been buried without a postmortem, an executive magistrate was required to exhume and conduct the postmortem.
Based on these findings, Hasina and 83 others, including Quader and senior officials, were recommended for clearance.
Zakir Murder Case
On Jul 21, 2024, Zakir, 24, was shot near Notun Bazar, Bhatara, while participating in a student-protester rally.
He died at Kurmitola General Hospital. Aman, a cousin, filed a case against Hasina and 165 others.
Investigators found the actual location was near Salman Saif Bakery, Kadamtali. SI Farhad Kalam Sujan recommended clearing Hasina and 165 others, including Quader, AKM Rehmat Ullah, and Ahmed Akbar Sobhan, due to lack of evidence.
Jibon Case
On Aug 5, 2024, Jibon was shot near Jamuna TV gate, Bhatara, while attending a protest march.
Taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital by his uncle Jamil Ahmed, he died after 65 days of treatment on Oct 9, 2024.
SI Rubel Mia found no evidence linking Hasina or 246 others to the shooting.
Based on factual inaccuracies in the complaints, the officer recommended their clearance.
Other cleared defendants include former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, former DMP commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia, and ex-MP Abdullah Al Islam Jacob.
Voices from the Field
Shafiqul, the complainant in Jahangir’s case, told bdnews24.com: “I faced danger filing the case. The family did not act, and others influenced the process with Tk 2 million. I filed this genuine complaint without accepting a bribe. The truth is being buried beneath drama, and I am being harassed for doing the right thing.”
Attempts to contact other complainants in Zakir and Jibon cases were unsuccessful.
