Case filed against Hasina, Quader, 735 others in Ctg

A case has been filed against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and former AL general secretary Obaidul Quader, in connection with violence against students during the anti-discrimination movement in Chattogram.  

The case, which also lists 1,000 to 1,200 unidentified individuals as accused, was lodged at the Kotwali police station on Monday night.

Tafhimul Islam, a 26-year-old fourth-year student of the Islamic Studies Department at Chittagong University, filed the case. He claimed that he was injured during a violent attack on students protesting peacefully as part of the movement.

Other accused in the case include former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, foreign minister Hasan Mahmud, former MP MA Latif, Mohiuddin Bachchu, Noman Al Mahmud, Motaherul Islam Chowdhury, Abu Reza Md. Nezamuddin Nadvi, Najibul Bashar Maizbhandari, former Chittagong City Corporation Mayor Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, City Awami League President Mahtab Uddin Chowdhury, General Secretary AJM Nasir Uddin, South District General Secretary Mujibur Rahman, former Chittagong Zilla Parishad Chairman ATM Payrul Islam, and Chhatra League Central Committee President Saddam Hossain and General Secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Inan.

According to the case statement, on 14 July, former prime minister Sheikh Hasina allegedly referred to students involved in the anti-discrimination movement as “Rajakar,” sparking calls for peaceful protests. Prior to this, on 10 July, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader allegedly instructed the Chhatra League to suppress the movement. The case further claims that on 16 July, leaders from the Awami League, Jubo League, Swechasebak League, Sramik League, and Chhatra League launched nationwide attacks on protesting students.

On 4 August, students participating in the anti-discrimination movement were reportedly attacked with firearms, cocktails, sharp weapons, and sticks in the Newmarket area of Chittagong. During the violence, the plaintiff, Tafhimul Islam, alleged he was shot in the right wrist. His classmates rescued him and he was treated at Chittagong National Hospital before being admitted to Chittagong Medical College Hospital for further care.

Kotwali Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Fazlul Quader Chowdhury confirmed the filing of the case, saying, “A case has been filed naming 735 individuals, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, over the firing on students and the shooting of a student during the anti-discrimination movement. The case also includes 1,000 to 1,200 unknown accused.”