Murder investigation opened against Bangladesh’s ex-PM Sheikh Hasina

The case is the first to be filed in court against the former leader since she called for strong action to quell student demonstrations

A murder investigation has opened into ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina over a police killing of a grocer during Bangladesh’s deadly protests.
The case is the first to be filed in court against Ms Hasina since she called for strong action to quell the violence that erupted during huge demonstrations across the south Asian country, which were launched in early July by students frustrated about the reinstatement of a quota system for government jobs.
The protests were initially peaceful but later turned violent.
According to analysis by local news outlets, more than 300 people were killed in clashes between students, government supporters and armed police. Unicef says at least 32 of those killed were children.
As the unrest escalated, the scope of the protests expanded and eventually Ms Hasina, who had become increasingly authoritarian during her 15-year stint as prime minister, was forced to resign. She fled to India in early August.
Now, a court in Dhaka, the capital, has ordered the police to investigate a murder case brought by Amir Hamza, a businessman, relating to the death of local grocer Abu Saeed, who was shot in the head while crossing the road on July 19.
Mr Hamza has alleged that he died after the police fired indiscriminately on a crowd of students peacefully protesting.
“I am the first ordinary citizen who showed the courage to take this legal step against Sheikh Hasina for her crimes. I will see the case to an end,” Mr Hamza told Reuters news agency, adding that he approached the court because Mr Hamza’s family did not have the funds.
As well as Ms Hasina – who has been accused of widespread human rights violations and rampant corruption – six other top figures from the previous government are also being investigated.
After the case was announced on Tuesday, the ousted prime minister called for an investigation into acts of “sabotage, arson and violence” during the protests – though she did not mention the murder investigation.
“I demand a thorough investigation to identify and bring to justice those responsible for these heinous killings and acts of sabotage,” Ms Hasina said, in a statement posted online by her son, who added that his mother will return to the country when elections are declared.
Since Ms Hasina’s exit, a new caretaker government – headed by her longtime critic Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel Peace laureate and microfinance expert – has been sworn into power, before new elections are called.