A criminal investigation has been launched against Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, in connection with the police shooting of a man during civil unrest in Dhaka last month.
The inquiry also targets six other senior officials from the previous administration following weeks of deadly protests in the capital.
Mamun Mia, a lawyer representing a private citizen, revealed that a Dhaka court had directed police to accept the murder charges against the accused, marking the first step in a formal criminal investigation under Bangladeshi law.
Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled to India earlier this month amid escalating political turmoil that destabilized her government.
The unrest, primarily fueled by student demonstrations, resulted in the deaths of over 400 people, many of whom were allegedly shot by police on Hasina’s orders.
The murder investigation was initiated by businessman Amir Hamza, who filed the case in July after a local grocer, Abu Saeed, was fatally shot in the head while crossing the road during the protests.
According to Hamza, the police had fired indiscriminately into the crowd of peaceful protesters on July 19.
Among the officials under investigation is the former Transport and Bridges Minister, Obaidul Quader.
The case represents a significant legal challenge for the former prime minister and her associates as Bangladesh continues to grapple with the aftermath of the civil unrest.
