Sujon killing: Chargesheet against Hasina, Kamal, Quader, 32 others

A chargesheet has been filed against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader and 32 others in connection with the killing of truck driver Sujon during the July 2024 protest movement in Dhaka.

The Anti-Terrorism Unit (ATU) of police submitted the chargesheet on March 11, according to prosecution officials of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police. The next hearing in the case has been scheduled for April 8.

The case relates to the death of Sujon, 25, who was shot during a protest in the Mohammadpur area of the capital on July 20, 2024. He later died at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital.

According to the chargesheet, the crackdown on protesters was carried out following “orders, instructions, plans and provocative statements” from top political leaders. Several senior political figures, including former Law Minister Anisul Huq, Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Hasanul Haque Inu, Rashed Khan Menon, Mohammad A Arafat and former MP Sadeq Khan, have also been named as accused.

Investigators said tensions intensified following remarks made by Sheikh Hasina on July 14, 2024, referring to protesters as “Rajakars.” The report alleges that a coordinated crackdown was subsequently carried out to suppress the movement.

The chargesheet also states that around 450–500 unidentified individuals could not be fully identified during the investigation and have been recommended for discharge.

The case was filed on August 22, 2024, by the victim’s brother, naming 79 individuals along with hundreds of unidentified accused.

The submission of the chargesheet is being seen as a key step in the legal process surrounding one of the most high-profile cases linked to the 2024 protest movement, with potential political implications as proceedings move forward.

MDAA/MHK