Police’s Anti-Terrorism Unit has filed a charge sheet against 25 people, including ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, in a case over the killing of 24-year-old Abuzar Sheikh in Gulshan during the July movement.
The unit’s investigation officer, SI Israel Hossain, submitted the charge sheet on February 18. Prosecution Division SI Moktar Hossain confirmed the development on Friday, saying that an application had been made for arrest warrants against 22 accused, including Hasina, as they remained absconding.
Others named in the charge sheet include former road transport and bridges minister Obaidul Quader, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, former textiles and jute minister Jahangir Kabir Nanak, former information and broadcasting minister Mohammad A Arafat, former MP Mirza Azam, and former Justice Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik.
According to the case statement, on the evening of July 19, 2024, during the July movement, a procession of students and civilians was passing in front of Baridhara General Hospital on Pragati Sarani in Gulshan when leaders and activists of local Awami League and Jubo League opened fire.
Abuzar Sheikh was shot and first admitted to Evercare Hospital Dhaka. He was later transferred to Dhaka Metropolitan Hospital for advanced treatment. He died on July 27 after eight days of treatment.
Following the incident, Abuzar’s mother Chhobi Khatun filed a murder case at Gulshan Police Station on November 16, 2024.
