First chargesheet filed over July Uprising killing in Ctg; ex-AL ministers among 231 accused
The chargesheet was filed under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder in the case of Shahidul Islam Shahid, a 37-year-old footwear shop employee who was shot dead during a clash between protesters and Awami League activists in Bahaddarhat
Police have submitted the first chargesheet in connection with the death of a shop employee in Chattogram during the uprising on 3 August 2024, listing 231 individuals as accused, including several former ministers and senior leaders of the Awami League.
The chargesheet was filed under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder in the case of Shahidul Islam Shahid, a 37-year-old footwear shop employee who was shot dead during a clash between protesters and Awami League activists in Bahaddarhat.
Among the accused are former foreign minister Hasan Mahmud, former land minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Javed, and former education minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel.
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The list also includes former Chattogram City Corporation mayors Rezaul Karim Chowdhury and AJM Nasir Uddin, and ex-members of parliament ABM Fazle Karim Chowdhury, MA Latif, Abu Reza Muhammad Nezamuddin Nadvi, Mohiuddin Bachchu, Abdus Salam, Didarul Alam Didar, SM Al Mamun, and Noman Al Mahmud.
Other accused include Mohatab Uddin Chowdhury, president of the city Awami League, several former city councillors, and leaders and activists from affiliated organisations such as the Jubo League and Chhatra League.
Sub-Inspector Nurul Haque of Chandgaon Police Station, the investigating officer, submitted the chargesheet to the prosecution wing of the court on Wednesday (30 July). The matter became public last night (1 August).
Chandgaon Police Station Officer-in-Charge Aftab Ahmed confirmed the submission of the chargesheet.
Court sources said it was formally submitted to the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court in Chattogram on Thursday (31 July).
The court has scheduled a hearing for 25 August in the presence of the complainant.
The case was filed by Shahid's brother, Shafiqul Islam, on 15 August 2024, nearly two weeks after the incident.
According to the case details, Shahid was shot and killed while returning home from work during the protest on 3 August. That demonstration was part of a broader public and student movement calling for the resignation of the Awami League government.
During the protest, demonstrators allegedly attacked the residence of then education minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury in Soloshahar and the home of then mayor Rezaul Karim Chowdhury in Bahaddarhat.
Protesters later claimed that Shahid was killed by bullets fired by members of the police, Chhatra League, and Jubo League.
However, the Chattogram Metropolitan Police denied using live ammunition, stating that officers only used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd and prevent further violence.
This is the first chargesheet filed in relation to any of the killings during the July uprising unrest in Chattogram, marking a major milestone in the investigation into last year's political unrest.
