So many shaky killing cases

Anti-discrimination student movement

A Commentator: Hundreds of people, including students, were killed in the anti-discrimination student movement. Cases are being filed all over the country including the capital Dhaka in connection with these murders. The narratives of the depositions in these cases are very similar. The names of the main accused are also the same. In many cases, more than 100 accused are being named and 400-500 others are being named as unknown accused.
Lawyers say that in a case under Section 302 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the description of the statement must be clear. However, there is ambiguity in the statements of the cases that are happening in relation to the murders surrounding the movement; Which is the weakness of the case. Again, the number of accused is also high. With hundreds of unnamed convicts there is also scope for ‘trade’.
Relatives of the victims have also raised questions about the statement of the case. Their complaint is that they did not give such a statement.
Meanwhile, cases are being filed in various incidents including attacks on BNP leaders and workers a few years ago. In such cases, there are also allegations of extorting money by threatening to make the accused.
Barrister Sara Hossain said about the cases related to the murders surrounding the quota reform and the movement to bring down the government, such cases will not work and will not last. Can’t even pass the first step. To get justice it must be stopped.
Sheikh Hasina left the country after resigning from the post of Prime Minister on August 5 in a student uprising. After the fall of the Awami League government, various police stations, police outposts, traffic police boxes were attacked, vandalized and set on fire. Weapons, bullets are looted. 44 members of the police were killed. Many police stations were reduced to rubble. The policemen started strike for various demands including security. After a few days the activities started in the police stations. However, the case was not taken.
On August 21, the Senior Secretary of the Public Security Department of the Ministry of Home Affairs. In the circular signed by Mohammad Abdul Momen, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), all Commissioners of Police and SPs of the district were ordered to take up the case at the police station. The police were also asked not to prolong the examination and investigation process. After that instruction, one after other cases were filed in the July-August incident in various police stations across the country including the capital. At least 250 cases have been registered till Monday. Among them, there are hundreds of murder cases.
In all but a handful of murder cases, deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been accused. Awami League government ministers and state ministers, former parliamentarians, Awami League leaders at various levels, former and current police officers have been accused. In almost all the statements, the order is being accused against influential people including Sheikh Hasina. However, it was not specified who fired the incident.
The first murder case against Sheikh Hasina and others was filed on August 13 at Mohammadpur police station in the capital. The case was filed in connection with the killing of shop keeper Abu Sayeed by the police in Mohammadpur on July 19 during the quota reform movement. Awami League leaders and activists including Obaidul Quader, Asaduzzaman Khan were accused in the case. In the statement, it is alleged that Syed was shot with the connivance and order of the accused. But it is not mentioned who fired. Two witnesses are named. However, the police is not able to locate them.
On August 24, Adabar clothing workers. A case was filed against Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana and 156 people on the charge of Rubel’s murder. National team cricketer Shakib Al Hasan and actors Ferdous Ahmed, Nazmul Hasan Papon are also accused in this case. Other accused are also leaders and activists of Awami League. Shakib Al Hasan was abroad at the time of the incident. It has been said in the statement that the accused have planned the murder.
In the case of Naeem’s shooting death on July 19, 193 people including Sheikh Hasina, top leaders of 14 parties, some leaders, police officers, journalists were named as defendants in the case filed by her father. Many have questioned how journalists are involved in the case of planned murder.
Top officers of Dhaka Metropolitan Police have been named as accused in some cases outside Dhaka.
Supreme Court lawyer Mahbubur Rahman told that in a case under section 302 of the Criminal Procedure Code, there must be a clear understanding of the person who ordered the killing and the killer. Eyewitness testimony is also important. In the cases that have taken place, there are many defendants of order, but few defendants who are directly involved. In these cases it becomes difficult to prove the allegations in court.
Relatives of the victims were also surprised by the description of some of the cases. They claim that they have not given such a statement. The police gave such a statement ofmass accused.
An official of the police headquarters said that the case should be taken even if the situation is not like this. Who will be accused, what will be the description of the statement, those plaintiffs themselves decide. The police have no chance to break it.
However, the plaintiffs say otherwise. Shamsi Ara Zaman, the mother of journalist Tahir Zaman Priya, who was shot by the police in Dhanmondi, told that the case and the accused have been fixed from a lawyer’s chamber. Later, as the two police officers did not cooperate in taking the case, the students also named the two in the case.
Plaintiff Hasnat Zaman withdrew the case filed against former Public Administration Minister Farhad Hossain, his wife Syeda Monalisa and 168 people in the anti-terrorism special tribunal in Meherpur. He said, he did not give many names in the case. But many people are named in his case. Later the case was withdrawn.
Zahid Hasan of Kishorepur village gave a statement at Bagha police station in Rajshahi. General Secretary of Bagha Press Club as defendant number 14 in the statement. Nuruzzaman and his son as accused number 15. There is the name of the homeland. 130 people are named as defendants in the case.
Journalist Nuruzzaman said that the complaint said that on August 25, they vandalized the business establishment of the complainant Zahid Hasan with the slogan ‘Joy Bangla’. Later the cocktail was detonated. In reality, no such incident happened. After the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, there is no one to raise the slogan of ‘Joy Bangla’ in the area. This statement has been given to file an absentee case.
Rajshahi District Police Spokesperson and Special Branch Additional Superintendent of Police Rafiqul Islam said that the cases that are happening now depend on the will of the plaintiff. The plaintiff is naming the defendants, accordingly the case is proceeding.
Former IGP Mohammad Nurul Huda told that everything in the case will not be disclosed. If there were all, there would be no need for further investigation. However, making an average accused in this way, without having the slightest idea of who’s role, weakens the case. Then it becomes clear, someone has an interest here.