Awami League President Sheikh Hasina’s son says an impartial probe should examine allegations of harassment, professional persecution and a smear campaign against the decorated Air Force officer before his death.
Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of Awami League President Sheikh Hasina, has called for an investigation into the sudden death of decorated Air Force officer Tasif Souri, alleging that a disinformation campaign against the officer contributed to his professional and personal suffering.
In a statement, Joy said Souri had spoken publicly about the mental harassment, anguish and hardship he had endured since August 5, 2024, during a podcast recorded approximately three months before his death.
Joy also alleged that on August 4, 2025, the newspaper Amar Desh, edited by Mahmudur Rahman, had labelled Souri an agent of a foreign intelligence agency without providing evidence.
According to Joy, Souri had directly refuted the allegation during the podcast and described how the campaign had damaged his professional career and made his life increasingly difficult. Joy said the officer had also expressed fears for his safety.
The podcast, Joy claimed, further raised questions about sensitive issues within the Air Force, including the investigation into the widely discussed Milestone aviation accident and whether the actual number of fatalities had been concealed during the Yunus administration.
Joy said Souri had also highlighted alleged irregularities within the Air Force, expressed concerns over deficiencies in fighter aircraft maintenance and questioned the rationale behind a fighter jet procurement policy initiated during the Yunus administration and subsequently approved by the BNP.
Joy alleged that no visible action had been taken to address the officer’s concerns. He further claimed that those he held responsible for forcing Souri to leave his service, including Mahmudur Rahman and other influential figures, had not been held accountable. Joy also alleged that Souri’s passport had been confiscated during the Yunus administration.
He said Souri and members of his family had supported and helped mobilise the July 2024 movement from its early stages, referring to the movement as “meticulously designed.” However, Joy alleged that the Yunus-led government removed Souri from his position after assuming power.
Following the officer’s sudden death, Joy claimed, individuals associated with Jamaat-e-Islami and other groups had intensified efforts to revive allegations that Souri had publicly rejected before his death.
Joy argued that the renewed allegations could undermine an impartial investigation, further discredit the Awami League and shield those he accused of contributing to the officer’s professional and personal suffering from accountability.
He called for an investigation into Mahmudur Rahman and others who allegedly conducted a smear campaign against Souri both before and after his death, saying such an inquiry was necessary to establish the facts and ensure justice. Joy added that demands for justice were growing within the armed forces.
Concluding his statement, Joy alleged that attempts to use Souri’s death to reinforce what he described as fabricated narratives had exposed the conduct of Mahmudur Rahman and his alleged allies within the armed forces and government.
He said the continued campaign was adding to the suffering of the bereaved family and stressed that a thorough and impartial investigation was essential to establish the circumstances surrounding the officer’s death.
The allegations in Joy’s statement have not been independently verified.
Dhaka, 2nd November
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