Over 230 people were killed in Bangladesh in the incidents of violence that erupted across the country following the fall of the Hasina government on August 5, taking the death toll to 560 since the anti-quota protests first started in mid-July.
| Photo Credit: Reuters

A case of enforced disappearance was filed on Wednesday (August 14, 2024) against Bangladesh’s deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina and several others, including former ministers of her Cabinet, on the charge of kidnapping a lawyer in 2015.

The case is the second to be filed against 76-year-old Hasina since she resigned and fled to India on August 5 following widespread protests against her Awami League-led government over a controversial job quota system.

The victim of the forced disappearance, Supreme Court lawyer Sohel Rana filed the case application, The Daily Star newspaper reported.

Also read: Thousands protest over Bangladesh’s ‘enforced disappearances’

The court of Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Farzana Shakila Sumu Chowdhury ordered the allegations to be accepted as a case.

Other accused in the case include senior ministers of Hasina’s Cabinet, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, former Law Minister Anisul Haq, former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Shahidul Haque, former Director General of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) Benazir Ahmed, and 25 unidentified members of the RAB.

“On 10 February 2015, I was detained from Sector 5 in Uttara and forced into a vehicle. As soon as I was inside the car, I was nearly made unconscious by electric shocks to my ears and genitals,” the report quoted Mr. Rana as saying.

“After enduring various forms of brutal torture over time, I was eventually released in August in Godagari, Rajshahi,” he said.

On Tuesday, a murder case was lodged against Ms. Hasina and six others over the death of a grocery shop owner during last month’s violent clashes that led to the fall of her government.

Also read | Violence in Bangladesh after Hasina’s ouster stirs fear within Hindu minority in country

Over 230 people were killed in Bangladesh in the incidents of violence that erupted across the country following the fall of the Hasina government on August 5, taking the death toll to 560 since the anti-quota protests first started in mid-July.

An interim government was formed after the fall of the Hasina-led government, and its Chief Adviser, 84-year-old Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, announced the portfolios of his 16-member council of advisors last week.

File photo of deposed Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina.
| Photo Credit: Reuters

In her first statement since leaving Bangladesh on August 5, deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday (August 13, 2024) called upon her country to mark August 15 as the National Day of Mourning as that was the day on which the founder of Bangladesh Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was assassinated along with fifteen other family members by a rogue military unit.

In a statement written in Bangla and released through her son who is based in the United States, Ms. Hasina sought justice for the vandalism and recent killings, expressed anguish over the burning of the residence of Bangabandhu in the recent protests and called upon citizens of Bangladesh to proceed to her father’s last residence — Bangabandhu Bhavan — at 32 Dhanmondi in Dhaka and hold prayer meetings on August 15.

“The house that bore the memory of the deadly incident of violence of 15 August 1975 was dedicated by we two sisters to the people of Bangladesh. A museum was built in memory of the victims. People from all over the world came to see the museum. I appeal to you to mark the National Day of Mourning on 15 August. Place flowers at the Bangabandhu Bhavan on 15 August and hold prayer meets for the departed souls,” said Ms. Hasina in the letter.

The museum that was built in Bangabandhu Bhavan during Ms. Hasina’s government that lasted from 2009 to 2024 was burnt down by a protesting mob during the anti-quota protests that forced her to leave Dhaka on August 5. “Memory of Father of the Nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was insulted. The person under whose leadership we got recognition as a free nation was insulted. Blood of lakhs of martyrs was insulted. I seek justice for this from my people,” she further said.

The statement shared by Ms. Hasina’s son Sajeeb Wazed Joy acquires significance as there were reports that she was prevented from delivering a final speech before leaving Dhaka in a military helicopter. This is also a politically charged statement that gives call for action in the form of prayer for the Sheikh Mujib and his family. During her years in power, Ms. Hasina marked the day as the National Day of Mourning and also avoided foreign visits during the month of August.

On 15 August 1975, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was assassinated by a rogue Army unit along with his extended family that included his wife Fazilatunnesa, and Sheikh Russel, the ten year old son of Sheikh Mujib. Ms. Hasina’s statement came in the backdrop of reports from Dhaka that on Thursday (August 15, 2024) a major showdown is expected to take place between the pro-Mujib activists and the anti-Mujib protesters who are expected to stop the Mujib supporters from reaching Bangabandhu Bhavan. Ms. Hasina’s call for a prayer at the burnt down Bangabandhu Bhavan has further added to the dynamics.

Ms. Hasina also slammed the protesters who took charge after dislodging her. “The sabotage, terror and violent actions that have been going on since last July in the name of protest is taking away a large number of lives. Students, teachers, police personnel, journalists, cultural activists, professionals, cadre of the Awami League and its allies, pedestrians have been victims of this aggression. I express my condolences to those who have died in this violence and prayer for the departed souls,” said Ms. Hasina.