Staff Reporter :
A Khulna court has accepted a case against 55 individuals, including former Khulna City Corporation (KCC) Mayor Talukder Abdul Khaleque and former Member of Parliament Sheikh Salahuddin Jewel, over an attack on leaders and activists of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.
The case was filed by Sajidul Islam Bappi, former joint coordinator of the movement, following the July 31 attack.
On Monday (18 August), the Metropolitan Court in Khulna took cognizance of the complaint and directed the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) to conduct a probe.
The accused include several former MPs Talukder Abdul Khaleque, Sheikh Salahuddin Jewel, SM Kamal Hossain, Begum Mannujan Sufian, Abdus Salam Murshedy, Sheikh Helal Uddin, Narayan Chandra Chanda, Akteruzzaman Babu, and Rashiduzzaman Morol as well as former district council chairman Sheikh Harunur Rashid, Jubo League leader Sheikh Sohel, senior leaders of Khulna city Jubo League, former senior police officials, and several others linked with political and student organizations.
According to the complaint, on 31 July around noon, student activists brought out a rally as part of their “March for Justice” program.
When the procession reached Saat Rasta intersection, attackers-allegedly under the instructions of the first 10 accused-assaulted the protesters using shotguns, pistols, homemade bombs, and bricks.
Many students were left bloodied and injured, with bystanders rushing them to nearby clinics.
The complaint further alleges that assailants even carried out attacks at the clinics and later handed over the injured students to law enforcement authorities.
The plaintiff initially approached Khulna Police Station to file the case on 10 August but was advised to move through the court.
Subsequently, a petition was submitted to the Khulna Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court on 12 August.
Lawyer Md Kamal Hossain, representing the plaintiff, confirmed: “The court has accepted the case and directed the PBI to investigate and submit a report.”
