Bangladesh Court Launches Inquiry into Former Prime Minister's Alleged Involvement in Protester's Death

Tuesday 13 August 2024 - 16:00

In a significant development that has sent shockwaves through Bangladesh's political landscape, a court in Dhaka has ordered an investigation into former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's alleged role in the death of a grocery shop owner during last month's tumultuous student-led protests.

The case, filed by Bangladeshi citizen Amir Hamza, was accepted by Dhaka's Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court following a hearing. Magistrate Rajesh Chowdhury has instructed the police to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter, as confirmed by Hamza's lawyer, Anwarul Islam.

This legal action marks the first case filed against Hasina in the wake of a violent uprising that claimed approximately 300 lives, many of whom were college and university students. The former prime minister fled to India on August 5th and has since been seeking refuge in Delhi.

The case implicates not only Hasina but also six others, including Obaidul Quader, the general secretary of Hasina's Awami League party, former Interior Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and several senior police officials.

According to Hamza's allegations, Abu Saeed, the grocery shop owner in question, met his untimely demise on July 19th at around 4 p.m. local time. Saeed was reportedly struck by a bullet while crossing the street in Dhaka's Mohammadpur area, as police opened fire on students and other demonstrators protesting against quotas in government jobs.

The complainant has directly implicated Hasina, who had called for stringent measures to quell the violence, in the police's use of lethal force. Hamza, who claims no relation to Saeed, stated that he voluntarily approached the court due to the financial constraints faced by Saeed's family in pursuing legal action.

"I am the first ordinary citizen who showed the courage to take this legal step against Sheikh Hasina for her crimes. I will see the case to an end," Hamza declared to Reuters, emphasizing his commitment to seeking justice.

Attempts to reach Hasina, who served as prime minister for 15 years, for comment were unsuccessful. Similarly, Quader's phone was switched off, and Kamal did not respond to calls from Reuters.

The student-led movement, which initially began as demonstrations against government job quotas, escalated into violent protests aimed at ousting Hasina from power. Nahid Islam, a prominent student leader who played a crucial role in Hasina's removal and is now part of the interim government, has recently stated that the former prime minister must face trial for the killings that occurred during her tenure, including those during the recent protests.

Hasina's son has indicated that she plans to return to Bangladesh once the caretaker government, led by Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus, finalizes plans for holding elections.

This court-ordered inquiry represents a pivotal moment in Bangladesh's political narrative, potentially setting the stage for a thorough examination of the events that transpired during the protests and the actions of those in positions of power. As the investigation unfolds, it is likely to have far-reaching implications for the country's political future and the pursuit of justice for those affected by the recent unrest.