A murder case against former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and six others was filed at the Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Court on Tuesday. The case pertains to the death of a grocery shop owner, Abu Sayeed, who was killed in police firing in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur area on July 19 during protests demanding reforms in the reservation system for government jobs.
This is the first case filed against Ms. Hasina since she resigned and left the country on August 5.
Amir Hamza Shatil, a resident of Mohammadpur and a well-wisher of the victim, filed the case with Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Rajesh Chowdhury, “seeking justice for the killing of an innocent citizen”.
Leaders of the Students Against Discrimination platform, which spearheaded mass protests against Ms. Hasina, demanded that the government file a case against Ms. Hasina and her associates in the International Crimes Tribunal for “killing students and civilians”. They also called for a ban on organisation-based student politics on all campuses, citing the Chhatra League’s involvement in “terrorist activities” at educational institutions.
Also read: Second case filed against Bangladesh’s ousted PM Sheikh Hasina
After a few days of normalcy, there were concerns about what might happen as the Awami League has announced plans to gather in Dhaka and observe National Mourning Day on August 15, marking the death anniversary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the father of Ms. Hasina.
According to sources close to Ms. Hasina, she instructed her party members to actively participate in the gathering on the day. Her son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, also urged Awami League leaders and activists to honour Bangabandhu on August 15. Awami League joint general secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif confirmed that a formal request for security measures has been submitted to the interim government to mark the day.
Meanwhile, interim government Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday visited Dhakeshwari National Temple in Dhaka amid attacks against Hindu community members. “In our democratic aspirations, we should not be seen as Muslims, Hindus, or Buddhists, but as human beings. Our rights should be ensured,” he said.
(Rabiul Alam is a Dhaka-based journalist)
