Joypurhat Correspondent
A high-profile murder case has been filed in Joypurhat, implicating former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former minister Obaidul Quader, and former Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud, among others. The case relates to the alleged killing of auto-rickshaw driver Mehdi, 25, during a recent student-led anti-discrimination protest.
Jasmin Akhter, the widow of the deceased, lodged the complaint today in the Chief Judicial Magistrate’s Court of Joypurhat. In her statement, Akhter claimed that her husband was shot and killed on August 5 while participating in the student movement in the town.
The complaint alleges that the murder was orchestrated under the direction of Sheikh Hasina, Obaidul Quader, and Hasan Mahmud. Additionally, it names 217 other individuals, including several former and current members of the Awami League (AL), as well as various public representatives from the district. Among the accused are former AL lawmakers Abu Saeed Al Mahmud Swapan and Samsul Alam Dudu, as well as district AL President Arifur Rahman Rocket and General Secretary Zakir Hossain Mandal.
The Chief Judicial Magistrate has taken cognizance of the case and instructed the Joypurhat Police Station to register it formally. The accusations extend to numerous unnamed individuals affiliated with the Awami League and other local organizations.
The case has sparked significant attention, given the prominent figures involved and the serious nature of the allegations. Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted as Prime Minister earlier this year, and the other high-profile figures named have yet to publicly respond to the allegations.
Jasmin Akhter has expressed a desire for justice, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation into her husband’s death.
