Around 1,400 people charged in first legal process by Dhaka protesters

A complaint was filed yesterday at the Shahbagh police station, naming Sheikh Hasina as the main accused, in connection with the attacks on anti-quota reform protesters at Dhaka University on July 15.

Mahin Sarkar, a key coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, filed a complaint accusing 391 named people and around 1,000 unnamed people, including leaders and activists of the Chhatra League, Awami League and Jubo League.

This is the first legal action filed by the student platform in Dhaka.

“July 15 was a dark day in the history of Bangladesh as our female students were brutally attacked and harassed. We believe it is important to bring those responsible to justice, which is why we have filed a complaint against those who carried out the attack, and those who gave instructions to do so,” he said. during a press conference inside the police station.

Mahin said the complaint should have been filed sooner, but there was a delay because it took time to gather the evidence.

He said former Minister of Roads and Highways Obaidul Quader, who instigated the attack, was the second accused, while former Minister of Education Mohibul Islam Nowfel and former Minister of State to the Information Mohammad Arafat appeared on the list of the third and fourth accused.

When contacted, Masud Alam, deputy commissioner (Ramna zone) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, said, “They (students) have lodged a written complaint with us. We will take necessary action after discussing the matter with our senior officials and the Commissioner of Police. . No complaints have yet been filed. After verification and consultation with higher authorities, we will take further action.

AKM Shahabuddin Shaheed, officer-in-charge of Shahbagh police station, told Daily Star: “We are trying to take up the complaint as a case by this evening (last night).”

Speaking at the press conference, Abdul Kader, another key coordinator of the student platform, announced that similar cases would be filed across the country.

He also demanded speedy justice and demanded that the Chhatra League be banned as a “terrorist organisation”.

Echoing him, Abdul Hannan Masud, another coordinator, said similar legal actions would continue across the country, targeting Chhatra League operatives in universities, colleges and other institutions.

Leaders of the student platform also announced their intention to draft a new constitution to replace what they called the “1972 fascist constitution.”

They also presented a broader vision of political reforms, calling for the resignation of the current “fascist president” and the establishment of a new political framework.

When asked why the movement did not call for banning the Awami League, Mahin clarified that its main objective as a student movement was to ban the Chhatra League, the demand to ban the League Awami being a separate issue at the national political level.

He stressed that their objective is to ensure that no group uses the country’s soil for terrorist purposes.