Four additional murder cases have been filed at the Ashulia police station in Savar, Dhaka, in connection with the deaths of students and commoners during the anti-government movement.
The cases were registered on Thursday night, naming a total of 63 individuals and over 100 unidentified individuals as accused.
In one case filed by Shahida Akter, the wife of deceased Maulana Md Sadiqur Rahman, 28, eight individuals were named. Sadiqur Rahman, who hails from Kalikabari in the Dhobaura police station area of Mymensingh, was residing with his family in a rented house in the Dendabor area of Ashulia.
He had been serving as the imam at Skyline Garments Factory in Palashbari, Ashulia, for two years.
The accused in this case include Shahadat Hossain Khan, former vice chairman of Savar Upazila Parishad, along with 300-400 unidentified individuals. All the accused are associated with the Awami League.
According to the case statement, on August 5, Sadiqur Rahman went to Bipail Vegetable Market from his house around 2:30pm. After an hour, it was reported that he was severely injured and lying in front of Happy General Hospital in Bogabari, Baipail. After being unable to find him despite a search, the plaintiff learnt that he had been shot in the abdomen and was in critical condition at Gonoshasthaya Kendra in Ashulia. His condition deteriorated further, and he was transferred to Enam Medical College Hospital in Savar, where he succumbed to his injuries on August 7.
She claimed that around 300-400 leaders and activists of the Awami League and its affiliates were beating and shooting anyone they encountered in the area that day. Sadiqur Rahman was beaten and shot in the abdomen by them, leading to his death.
In another case filed by Swapan Munshi, the father of deceased student Arafat Munshi, 15, ten individuals were named. Arafat was a resident of Namabazar, Bipail, Ashulia, and a student of class eight at Birds School and College in Palashbari, Ashulia.
The accused in this case include Parvez Dewan, former chairman of Pathalia Union Parishad, and 200-300 unidentified individuals.
According to the case, on August 5, Arafat was shot in front of Skyline Garments Factory on Nabinagar-Chandra Road in Palashbari. He was taken to Gonoshasthaya Kendra in Ashulia, where the attending doctor declared him dead.
A third case was filed by Md Majedul Haque, the uncle of deceased student Tanzil Mahmud Sujoy, 19. Twelve individuals were named in this case.
Tanzil was the son of Shafiqul Islam from Bitghar, Nabinagar, Brahmanbaria. He lived with his family in a rented house in Namabazar, Baipail, and was an HSC candidate at Bhawal Badre Alam Government College in Tongi, Gazipur.
The accused in this case include Md Saiful Islam, a former Member of Parliament of Dhaka-19, and 300-350 unidentified individuals.
He died in front of Shahriar Garments Factory on Nabinagar-Chandra Road in Palashbari around 2:30pm on August 5. His mutilated body was identified through the college ID card in his pocket.
Additionally, on Thursday night, a case was filed by Mosammat Sathi, the wife of deceased BNP activist Md Mamun Khandakar, 43, naming 33 individuals, including former MP Md Saiful Islam, as accused.
Mamun Khandakar was from the Gajirchat area in Ashulia.
According to the case statement, on August 4, at around 10pm, local Awami League leader Arif, along with 30-35 others, went to the plaintiff's house and warned her husband not to participate in any movements. The next day, her husband was shot and left on the road.
He was taken to Habib Clinic in Ashulia and later to Gonoshasthaya Kendra. On the doctor's advice, they tried to take him to Neuroscience Hospital in Dhaka, but the ambulance was stopped on the highway by Chhatra League and Jubo League activists. They were forced to admit him to Enam Medical College Hospital in Savar, where he died while receiving treatment on August 7.
Ashulia police station Officer-in-Charge (Investigation) Masudur Rahman said: "These murder cases have been filed based on complaints. Further legal action will be taken after the investigation. Efforts are ongoing to arrest the accused."
