Home ministry nullifies 4 August attack case against Awami leaders, BNP calls it unjust
On 22 September, a committee including the DC, District Magistrate, Police Superintendent, Public Prosecutor, and Additional District Magistrate was formed to review politically motivated cases filed against opposition leaders and activists during the previous Awami League-led government
The Ministry of Home Affairs recently decided to withdraw a case filed against Awami League leaders over the 4 August attack on anti-discrimination movement participants in Kapasia, Gazipur.
On 22 September, a committee including the DC, District Magistrate, Police Superintendent, Public Prosecutor, and Additional District Magistrate was formed to review politically motivated cases filed against opposition leaders and activists during the previous Awami League-led government.
A letter signed on 15 June by Md Mofizul Islam, Assistant Secretary, Law-1 Branch, Security Division, stated that, upon being recommended 119 politically motivated cases in Gazipur police stations were being withdrawn.
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Serial number 16 includes the case no 23, filed on 17 September 2024 at Kapasia police station, which accused former State Minister Simin Hossain Rimi, alongside 61 Awami League leaders and 150 unidentified individuals under Penal Code Sections 143/448/323/326/435/436/427/114 and Explosives Act Sections 3/4.
However, Gazipur Public Prosecutor Mostafa Kamal confirmed that the district did not send any withdrawal recommendation.
The Ministry's letter reached the plaintiff, Kapasia Jubo Dal member-secretary, Junayed Hossain Leon, last Friday, triggering anger and strong reactions from him and local BNP leaders, who questioned the withdrawal decision.
The Ministry's letter cites Section 494 of the Criminal Procedure Code 1898, directing the Gazipur District Public Prosecutor to guide the implementation of the case withdrawal.
Kapasia BNP President Shah Riyazul Hannan criticised the move, saying, "No recommendation was made to withdraw this case. We do not understand how it appeared on the Ministry's list."
According to the case, on 4 August, around 10:30am, the accused ordered by Simin Hossain Rimi, attacked anti-discrimination student activists near Fakir Majnu Shah Bridge and detonated cocktail explosives.
Several activists were seriously injured, including Al-Amin Hossain Sohag, Md. Farid Sheikh, and Farhad Hossain.
Among many, the accused include Mazharul Islam Selim, former President Md Shahidullah, General Secretary Md. Mizanur Rahman Pradhan, Joint General Secretary Asaduzzaman Asad, Mahbub Uddin Ahmed Selim, Vice President, Md. Amanat Hossain Khan, and Jubo League leaders Sakhawat Hossain Pradhan and Rajib Ghosh.
