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A madrasa student who lost vision in one eye during the July Uprising has filed an attempted murder case against deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 166 others, including senior Awami League leaders, businessmen, and journalists, police have confirmed.
The case was filed by Saifuddin Muhammad Emdad on Tuesday with the Khulshi Police Station in Chattogram. It accuses the former ruling party and its affiliates of orchestrating two attacks during anti-discrimination protests in August.
Khulshi police chief Aftab Hossain said the case involves 167 individuals and that authorities are investigating the complaint before taking legal action, bdnews24.com reports.
Emdad, a student at Dhaka Alia Madrasa, alleges that he was shot with pellets during a student rally on Aug 4, 2024, at New Market in Chattogram, reportedly attacked by members of the Awami League’s youth and student wings.
Despite his injuries, he joined another protest the next day and was again assaulted near the WASA intersection, resulting in severe injuries to his head, face, and both eyes.
According to the complaint, Emdad was treated at multiple facilities, including Chattogram Medical College Hospital, Chevron Hospital, the National Institute of Ophthalmology in Dhaka, and finally at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH).
Despite the treatment, his right eye is now blind and vision in the left eye is deteriorating.
The accused include Awami League chief Hasina, party General Secretary Obaidul Quader, former ministers Asaduzzaman Khan, Anisul Huq, Hasan Mahmud, Mohibul Hasan Chowdhoury Nowfel, Kamrul Islam, and Md Ali Arafat; and several ex-MPs.
Also named are former Chattogram mayors Rezaul Karim Chowdhury and M Manjur Alam, ex-councillors, and local Awami League, Jubo League and Chhatra League leaders.
Prominent business figures accused include Ha-Meem Group Chairman and former MP AK Azad, PHP Group Chairman Mizanur Rahman and his son Amir Hossain, GPH Ispat Director Md Almas Shimul, and former FBCCI president Mahbubul Alam and his daughter Raisa Mahbub.