Sheikh Hasina among 25 accused in July protest shooting case

A charge sheet has been filed against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 24 others in a July Mass Uprising murder case linked to the killing of Abujar Sheikh in the capital’s Pragati Sarani area, according to Bangladesh Police.

The Anti-Terrorism Unit (ATU) of Bangladesh Police submitted the charge sheet on 18 February 2026, naming 25 accused, including former ministers Obaidul Quader and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal. The case relates to the fatal shooting of Abujar Sheikh during unrest in Gulshan in July 2024.

ATU Sub-Inspector Israil Hossain filed the charge sheet before the court, alleging that the accused acted in collusion and with common intention to form an unlawful assembly. The investigation concluded that force and violence were used to carry out the killing. Offences under Sections 143, 326, 302, 114, 109 and 34 of the Penal Code have been cited as prima facie established.

Sub-Inspector Moktar Hossain, general registration officer of Gulshan Police Station, confirmed the submission of the charge sheet on Friday.

Other prominent individuals named in the case include Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Mohammad A Arafat, Mirza Azam and Justice Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik.

According to case documents, on the evening of 19 July 2024, an anti-discrimination student-led procession was taking place in front of Baridhara General Hospital on Pragati Sarani in Gulshan. Investigators allege that local leaders and activists of the Awami League and Jubo League opened fire on the procession during the demonstration.

Abujar Sheikh sustained gunshot injuries and was initially admitted to Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. He was later transferred to Dhaka Metropolitan Hospital for advanced treatment. He died on 27 July 2024 while undergoing treatment.

On 16 November 2024, Abujar Sheikh’s mother, Chobi Khatun, filed a murder case with Gulshan Police Station. The first information report initially named 27 accused, including Sheikh Hasina.

After completing the investigation, the Anti-Terrorism Unit submitted the charge sheet against 25 individuals, reducing the number of accused from the original complaint.

The development marks a significant legal step in cases arising from the July Mass Uprising, which has reshaped Bangladesh’s political landscape and raised questions about governance, rule of law and institutional accountability.