This is the first case against the former leader following her call for decisive measures to suppress student demonstrations. The police are investigating former prime minister Sheikh Hasina for killing a shopkeeper during the violent riots in Bangladesh.
Sheikh Hasina’s demand for decisive measures to suppress the violence that occurred amid extensive rallies across the country in early July, sparked by students dissatisfied with a government employment quota, led to the filing of this first complaint against her.
The demonstrations started peacefully but escalated into violence.
Local news outlets claimed over 300 fatalities in confrontations between armed police and supporters of student government. According to UNICEF, a minimum of 32 victims were minors.
As resentment escalated, protests mounted, leading to Ms. Hasina’s resignation. She had become dictatorial during her 15-year tenure as prime minister and fled to India in early August.
A court in Dhaka has mandated the police to examine a murder complaint filed by businessman Amir Hamza concerning local grocer Abu Saeed, who was fatally shot in the head while crossing the road on July 19.
Mr Hamza asserts that he acted out of self-defence when law enforcement discharged firearms at nonviolent demonstrators.
I am the inaugural private citizen to commence legal proceedings against Sheikh Hasina for her transgressions. Mr. Hamza informed Reuters that he contacted the court due to his family’s financial constraints.
Six more former government leaders, along with Ms. Hasina, are under investigation for allegations of human rights violations and corruption.
Following the news of the case on Tuesday, the former prime minister requested an investigation into “sabotage, arson, and violence” occurring during the protests, except murder.
In a statement her son shared online, Ms. Hasina declared, “I call for a comprehensive investigation to identify and prosecute those accountable for these atrocious murders and acts of sabotage.” He stated that his mother would return to the country following the elections.
Following Ms. Hasina’s resignation, a caretaker government headed by Nobel Peace Prize laureate and microfinance expert Muhammad Yunus assumed power until new elections were conducted.