The Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) has recommended the acquittal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 112 others in a case filed over the alleged attempted murder of Sahed Ali and nine others during the July uprising, citing “factual errors.”
According to sources at the Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Court, the PBI made the recommendation after investigators were unable to locate the alleged victims.
Other accused in the case include Sheikh Hasina’s son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, former minister Hasan Mahmud, Mohammad Arafat, Zunaid Ahmed Palak, Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Awami League leader Mahbubul Alam Hanif, Shamim Osman, Chhatra League President Saddam Hossain, and General Secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Inan, among a total of 113 individuals.
Court sources said that on 5 November, the investigation officer and PBI inspector of the case, Shahjahan Bhuiyan, submitted the final report to the court, highlighting “factual errors.” The next hearing in the case is scheduled for 3 February.
According to the case documents, the case was filed at Dhanmondi Police Station on 3 September 2024. The First Information Report (FIR) stated that during the July uprising, on 4 August, Sahed Ali was allegedly injured in front of Meena Bazar near Dhanmondi 27 while returning home from work via Shimanto Square. The FIR also claimed that nine students from Dhaka College and City College were injured in the same incident. Sahed’s brother, Sharif, filed the case against Sheikh Hasina and 113 others.
Initially, the police investigated the case and arrested four individuals. Later, the PBI took over the investigation. During the probe, the PBI inspector, Shahjahan, was unable to locate the alleged victims.
The investigation report stated that efforts were made to locate Sahed Ali and the other victims by sending letters to Shimanto Square Market, Dhaka College, City College, and nearby hospitals. Notices were also sent to the complainant, Sharif, asking him to bring his brother to the police station. However, there was no response.
Attempts to gather information at Sharif’s rented house in Hazaribagh were unsuccessful, with the landlord stating that no one named Sharif lived there. Verification of the National ID revealed the complainant’s real name as Shariful Islam, son of Sirajul Islam, from the Mandari area of Lakshmipur Sadar. Even at that address, no one recognized him.
The report further mentioned that the mobile number provided by the complainant was mostly unreachable, though his WhatsApp number was occasionally active. After contacting him via WhatsApp and waiting several days, Sharif eventually met the investigation officer near Dhanmondi Lake. At that time, he was asked to bring the alleged victims and provide medical documents, but he failed to do so. No medical evidence was submitted with the FIR either.
In light of these circumstances and the lack of essential evidence and testimony to substantiate the allegations, the investigation officer recommended the acquittal of Sheikh Hasina and the 112 other accused in the final report submitted to the court.