Chattogram court accepts first charge sheet in July killings
The court also dismissed a “no-confidence” petition filed by the plaintiff opposing the charge sheet and accepted the case for trial
A Chattogram court today (25 September) accepted a charge sheet against former foreign minister Hasan Mahmud, former land minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Javed, former education minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel, and 228 others in connection with the killing of a protester during last year's anti-discrimination student movement.
This marks the first time a charge sheet has been filed and accepted in a case involving deaths during the mass uprising. Metropolitan Magistrate Md Mostafa of the Chattogram Metropolitan Magistrate Court issued the order after reviewing the admissibility of the charges.
The court also dismissed a "no-confidence" petition filed by the plaintiff opposing the charge sheet and accepted the case for trial, said Additional Public Prosecutor Md Raihanul Wazed Chowdhury.
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The case concerns the death of Shahidul Islam Shahid, a rickshaw puller shot during clashes in the Bahaddarhat area on 3 August 2024. Witnesses said supporters of the ruling party opened fire on anti-discrimination protesters using pistols, shotguns, and other firearms. Shahid later died while receiving treatment at a private hospital.
The charge sheet, submitted on 30 July by Sub-Inspector Md Faisal of Chandgaon Police Station, names 231 individuals under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder. Of them, 84 have already been arrested. The case is the first charge sheet among dozens filed at Chattogram Metropolitan Police stations in connection with the July–August 2024 protests, which contributed to the fall of the Awami League government.
Notable accused include former Chattogram mayors Rezaul Karim Chowdhury and A J M Nasir Uddin; former MPs ABM Fazle Karim Chowdhury, M A Latif, Abu Reza Muhammad Nezamuddin Nadvi, Mohiyuddin Bachu, Abdus Salam, Didarul Alam, S M Al Mamun, and Noman Al Mahmud; as well as Chattogram Awami League president Mahtab Uddin Chowdhury, and several former city councillors.
The charge sheet lists 128 witnesses, including 28 civilians, 99 police officers, and a doctor. Investigators said the shooting took place after protesters marched from a rally near New Market and clashes erupted near the homes of former education minister Nowfel and former mayor Rezaul Karim Chowdhury.
The court's acceptance of the charge sheet paves the way for formal trial proceedings, setting a critical precedent for accountability in cases of deadly violence linked to last year's mass uprising.
