A resident of Dhaka has filed a high-profile murder case against former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, two of her cabinet ministers, and four senior police officials, accusing them of involvement in the killing of a grocer during last month’s student-led protests. The case, which has sent shockwaves through the nation, marks the first legal action taken against Hasina since her dramatic departure from the country earlier this month following the collapse of her government.

The complaint was lodged by S.M. Amir Hamza, a businessman from the Mohammadpur area of Dhaka, in connection with the shooting death of Abu Sayed, a local grocer, during a crackdown by security forces on peaceful demonstrators. The court has responded by ordering the police to formally register the case, potentially opening a new chapter in the country’s tumultuous political landscape.

The complaint details the events leading to Abu Sayed’s death, which occurred on July 19 in the Basila area of Mohammadpur. According to the filed document, students were conducting a peaceful procession demanding deep reforms in the government job sector, particularly concerning the controversial quota system. The quota system had reserved a significant percentage of government jobs for descendants of veterans from Bangladesh’s 1971 war of independence and other select groups, a policy that had long been a point of contention among the youth.

The protest was part of a broader, nationwide movement that had gained momentum throughout July, beginning as a peaceful demand for reform but escalating into violent confrontations by mid-month. According to police and hospital officials, the protests resulted in the deaths of at least 528 people over a 35-day period, a staggering toll that underscored the intensity of the public outcry.

On that fateful day, as the students marched through Basila, they were met with heavy police presence. The situation quickly deteriorated when police allegedly opened fire on the crowd. In the chaos, Abu Sayed, who was crossing the road near his shop, was struck by a bullet to the head and died instantly. His death became one of many tragic symbols of the government’s harsh response to the protests.

The case filed by Amir Hamza names several high-profile figures, including Sheikh Hasina, who served as Prime Minister at the time, and two of her key cabinet members: Obaidul Quader, the former Minister of Road Transport and Bridges and General Secretary of the Awami League, and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, the former Home Minister.

Also named in the complaint are four senior police officials: Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, the former Inspector General of Police; Habibur Rahman, former Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP); Harun-Or-Rashid, Additional Commissioner and former head of the Detective Branch; and Biplob Kumar Sarkar, former DMP Joint Commissioner. These individuals are accused of orchestrating and executing the violent crackdown on the student protests, which culminated in the deaths of numerous civilians, including Abu Sayed.

The plaintiff’s lawyer, Mamun Mia, emphasized that the court has taken the case seriously. “Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Rajesh Chowdhury has ordered the Mohammadpur police station to accept the application and lodge it as a regular case,” Mia stated. This move is significant, as it not only legitimizes the claims but also sets the stage for a potentially explosive legal battle involving some of the most powerful figures in Bangladesh’s recent political history.

The filing of this case comes on the heels of a seismic shift in Bangladesh’s political landscape. On August 5, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country amid an unprecedented mass uprising led by students and supported by large segments of the public. The protests, initially focused on the government job quota system, rapidly evolved into a broader movement demanding political reform and accountability from the ruling party.

As the situation spiraled out of control, Hasina’s government crumbled under the pressure, leading to her resignation and flight to India. In her absence, an interim government has been established, headed by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yusuf, who took office last week. Yusuf’s administration faces the daunting task of stabilizing the country and addressing the deep-seated grievances that fueled the protests.

The case against Hasina and her associates represents the first legal challenge against her since she left office. For many, it is seen as a test of the interim government’s commitment to justice and the rule of law in a country that has been plagued by political violence and impunity.

Calls for Investigation

From her self-imposed exile in India, Sheikh Hasina has responded to the allegations, calling for an investigation into the events that led to the deaths during the protests. In a statement posted on social media by her son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, Hasina expressed her desire for those responsible to be held accountable, despite being implicated in the complaint herself.

“I want an investigation and punishment for those responsible for the killings and sabotage,” Hasina stated, as reported by the Associated Press. Her call for justice, however, has been met with skepticism by many, given her previous role in the government and the widespread belief that the crackdown was carried out under her direct orders.

In the same statement, Hasina urged her supporters to participate in a national day of mourning in Dhaka to commemorate the 49th anniversary of her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s assassination. The interim government, however, has canceled the national holiday traditionally observed in Rahman’s memory, signaling a break from the previous administration’s practices and perhaps a move to distance itself from the former ruling party.

The human cost of the violence is poignantly illustrated by the story of Abu Sayed, the grocer whose death has become the focal point of the legal case. Sayed, a resident of Dhaka, was buried in his home village in the northern district of Panchagarh, far from the tumultuous capital where he lost his life.

His death has left his family shattered. His mother, wife, and son, who live in Panchagarh, have been unable to travel to Dhaka to seek justice for their loss. This, according to the plaintiff’s lawyer, is why Amir Hamza, a fellow resident of Mohammadpur, stepped forward to file the case on their behalf.

“His mother, wife, and son live there. They are unable to come to Dhaka to file a case. For this reason, the plaintiff, Amir Hamza, filed this case to establish the rule of law,” lawyer Mamun Mia explained. Hamza’s decision to take legal action has been hailed by some as a courageous stand against impunity, while others view it as a politically motivated move in the charged atmosphere following Hasina’s departure.

Legal Precedent: Hasina’s Past Legal Battles

This is not the first time that Sheikh Hasina has faced legal challenges. During the military-backed caretaker government’s rule in 2007-08, Hasina was embroiled in a series of legal battles. Fifteen cases were filed against her, including nine on corruption charges and six related to extortion and other allegations.

However, after returning to power in 2009, Hasina managed to have the cases quashed or dismissed by the High Court, while the plaintiffs in the remaining cases withdrew their complaints. This history of legal entanglements underscores the complexities of pursuing justice against a figure as powerful as Hasina, who has dominated Bangladesh’s political landscape for decades.

The current case, however, differs significantly from those previous legal battles. This time, Hasina is no longer in power, and the political environment in Bangladesh has undergone a dramatic shift. The outcome of this case could set a new precedent for accountability in the country, particularly if it leads to a full investigation and potential prosecution of those responsible for the violence.

In a related development, two of Hasina’s former cabinet members, Anisul Huq and Salman F. Rahman, were arrested by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police as they attempted to flee the capital. Huq, who served as Hasina’s Law Minister, and Rahman, her Private Industry and Investment Adviser, had been in hiding since Hasina fled the country on August 5.

According to Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner M. Mainul Hasan, the two were apprehended in the Sadarghat area of Dhaka as they were trying to escape by boat. They now face charges related to a murder case filed with the New Market police station, further complicating the legal landscape for the former ruling party.

The arrests have been interpreted by some as a signal that the interim government is serious about holding former officials accountable for their actions. However, it also raises questions about the motivations behind these moves, with some speculating that they could be part of a broader effort to dismantle the political influence of Hasina and her allies.

As Bangladesh navigates this turbulent period, the murder case against Sheikh Hasina and her associates could prove to be a defining moment for the country. The interim government, led by Muhammad Yusuf, faces immense pressure to restore order, address the grievances of the protesters, and ensure that justice is served.

The legal proceedings will likely be closely watched both domestically and internationally, as they could set a precedent for how the country deals with political violence and accountability in the future. For many Bangladeshis, the hope is that this case will lead to a more just and transparent political system, where the rule of law prevails over the interests of those in power.

In the meantime, the families of those who lost their lives during the protests, like that of Abu Sayed, continue to seek justice and closure. Their stories serve as a powerful reminder of the human cost of political conflict and the urgent need for reforms that address the underlying issues driving unrest in Bangladesh.

As the legal process unfolds, the nation will be watching closely, waiting to see whether this case will bring about the justice that so many have been yearning for, or whether it will become yet another chapter in the country’s long history of political strife and impunity.