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Published : 01 May 2025, 02:29 AM
Charges of “attempted murder” tied to the July protests have been brought against deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 200 others, including academics, journalists, actors, and former senior officials.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md Monirul Islam accepted the complaint on Wednesday and ordered Shahbagh Police Station to register it as a First Information Report (FIR).
The petition was filed on Mar 20 by former Chhatra Dal leader MA Hashem Raju, on behalf of Saifuddin Mohammad Emdad, a second-year student at Dhaka’s Government Madrasah-E-Alia, who was allegedly injured during protests in August.
Hashem’s lawyer, ABM Zobayer, said the court recorded the plaintiff’s statement and instructed the Shahbagh police chief to report whether any case related to the incident had already been filed.
After police confirmed no earlier case existed, the court proceeded with the order.
Among the accused are Hasina’s sister Sheikh Rehana, son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, daughter Saima Wazed Putul, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, Obaidul Quader, Salman F Rahman, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and former inspector general of police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed.
The list also includes several former university vice-chancellors, among them are prof Md Akhtaruzzaman of Dhaka University, prof Harun-Or-Rashid of National University, and prof Muhammad Zafar Iqbal of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology.
The case also involves several actors, including former MP Ferdous, Riaz, Meher Afroz Shawon, Aruna Biswas, Chanchal Chowdhury, Shomi Kaiser, and Ashna Habib Bhabna.
A total of 15 journalists are also among the accused.
The case alleges that around 11:30am on Aug 4, 2024, a procession led by Hashem moved from the Central Shaheed Minar towards the Paribagh intersection, near InterContinental Dhaka hotel, where it was allegedly blocked by Chhatra League, Jubo League, and Awami League members.
It claims the accused opened fire and detonated hand bombs, petrol bombs, and crude explosives with the intent to kill protesters.
Police allegedly used tear gas shells, pepper spray, and fired pellets to disperse the crowd.
Saifuddin was reportedly hit in the right eye and collapsed.
He was then allegedly beaten by unidentified members of the Chhatra League, Jubo League, and police.
