Case filed claiming death in June as student protest killing

Babul Mia's death certificate reads that he passed away on 3 June from a stroke. Photo: Collected

Nurul Amin, general secretary of the Duptara Union BNP, filed a case with Araihazar police station in Narayanganj on 22 August, alleging that BNP leader Babul Mia was murdered following his participation in anti-discrimination student protests on 4 August. 

However, Babul Mia's death certificate reads that he passed away on 3 June from a stroke.

Photo: Collected

Nurul Amin, the plaintiff, told TBS, "The certificate was obtained forcibly. If there are documents proving he died earlier, I have no issue with adjusting the case." 

He added, "I filed the case based on my lawyer's information. Babul Mia didn't die naturally—he was murdered. If there's any mistake about the date of death, it can be corrected. But there's no doubt he was murdered."

The FIR alleges that Babul Mia, vice president of the Duptara Union BNP, was abducted from Kalibari Bazar around 7pm on 4 August and taken to Duptara Eidgah Math, where he was brutally beaten and hacked to death. 

The case names 131 individuals, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, as defendants, along with several businessmen.

The FIR accuses Fakir Akhtarujjaman, managing director of Fakir Knitwear; Fakir Mashrikuzzaman Niaz, deputy managing director of Fakir Knitwear; and Fakir Kamruzzaman Naheed, managing director of Fakir Fashion, of providing financial support for the murder. 

Allegations suggest that BNP leaders may have indirectly implicated these businessmen due to a dispute over money and business.

Several BNP activists declined to speak publicly about Babul Mia's death. On condition of anonymity, some BNP leaders confirmed that Babul Mia died in June. 

They claimed that Awami League activists abducted him earlier this year, severely injured him, and that he later recovered somewhat after hospital treatment.

Babul Mia's death certificate from DKMC Hospital Limited in Bhulta, Rupganj, Narayanganj, confirms his death on 3 June from a stroke.

Araihazar police station Officer-in-Charge Ehsan Ullah said, "We must accept any complaint brought to us. That's why the case has been filed. The investigating officer is looking into it, and any missing details will come out during the investigation."

Sub-Inspector Md Ripon Ahmed, the investigating officer, told TBS, "I have visited the scene multiple times and am speaking with witnesses. I hope to submit the report soon." 

Regarding the June death, he added on WhatsApp, "The OC accepted the case. I have no involvement in that decision. I've received the death certificate and discussed the issue with my superiors. We will exhume Babul Mia's body through the court for an autopsy."