A Dhaka court has received final investigation reports recommending the discharge of 494 people, including former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, in three separate murder cases filed over deaths during the July 2024 uprising.
Investigating officers from Bhatara Police Station submitted the reports, stating that the cases were based on “factual mistakes,” particularly regarding the locations of the incidents and the identities of the complainants.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Ehsanul Islam had earlier fixed March 2 for the submission of the reports after investigators failed to file them on the previous date. According to prosecution officials, the court reviewed the reports on February 24 and set the next hearing for Monday.
Allegations of Duplicate Filings
The three cases concern the deaths of truck driver Md. Jahangir, water supply worker Zakir Hossain, and shoe factory worker Ramzan Mia Jibon during the July movement.
Police said that in each case, family members had already filed murder complaints in police stations outside Bhatara’s jurisdiction. However, separate cases were later lodged at Bhatara Police Station by individuals who were not immediate relatives of the victims.
Investigators reported significant discrepancies between the crime scenes mentioned in the Bhatara cases and those cited in the complaints filed by family members.
Jahangir Case
In Jahangir’s case, an application accused Sheikh Hasina and 83 others of orchestrating an attack in Bhatara. However, investigators concluded that Jahangir was injured in Sirajganj’s Ullapara area when unidentified individuals allegedly hurled bricks at vehicles. He was later taken to Dhaka for treatment, where he died.
Police said no evidence was found to support claims that he had been assaulted or set on fire in Bhatara. The investigating officer therefore recommended discharging all 83 accused.
Zakir Hossain Case
A separate complaint filed by a cousin of Zakir Hossain named Sheikh Hasina and 165 others, alleging a fatal shooting in Bhatara’s New Market area.
However, investigators determined that Zakir was shot during a procession in Kadamtali and that his mother had already filed a case with Kadamtali Police Station. They said there was no evidence linking the accused to any incident in Bhatara and recommended that all named individuals be discharged.
Ramzan Mia Jibon Case
In another case, 246 individuals, including Obaidul Quader, were accused of involvement in the fatal shooting of Ramzan Mia Jibon near Jamuna Future Park in Bhatara on August 5, 2024.
Investigators found that Jibon was in fact shot near Bangabandhu Avenue in Gulistan while heading to a rally. He later died in October 2025 after prolonged treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
Police said no evidence supported the claim that the shooting took place in Bhatara and recommended discharging all accused in the case.
Complainants’ Reactions
Attempts to reach the complainants in the Zakir and Jibon cases were unsuccessful. However, the complainant in Jahangir’s case defended his filing, claiming he had sufficient evidence and alleging that the victim’s family had been pressured not to pursue legal action.
The court is expected to decide whether to accept the final investigation reports at the next hearing.
