Police in Bangladesh are currently investigating a murder case that has been filed against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and other officials over the death of a grocery shop owner during student protests that took place in July. The case was filed by S.M. Amir Hamza, a supporter of the deceased grocery store owner Abu Sayeed, who claimed that Sayeed was killed on July 19 amidst clashes during the student-led protests. Hamza initiated the case as he believed Sayeed’s family lacked the means to seek justice for his death.

Apart from Sheikh Hasina, other individuals named as suspects in the petition include former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, Obaidul Quader, the General Secretary of the ruling Awami League party at the time, and several top police officials. The Dhaka court has instructed the Mohammadpur Police Station to register the case, which will now be investigated by the police, with a report to be submitted to the court.

This marks the first case against Sheikh Hasina, with the possibility of more cases being filed in the future. The move comes following demands by student protesters to hold Hasina and her supporters accountable for the deaths of over 300 people, including students and civilians, during the period of unrest that began on July 15.

The uprising ultimately led to Hasina stepping down and fleeing the country, bringing an end to her 15-year rule criticized by many as increasingly autocratic. With an interim government currently in place, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus was recently sworn in as the interim leader, heading a Cabinet comprising sixteen members selected after discussions with student leaders, civil society representatives, and the military.

Amidst the ongoing turmoil, Hasina and several high-ranking members of her party either remain in hiding or have been prohibited from leaving the country. The initial student protests in July revolved around opposition to a government job quota system perceived as biased towards individuals connected to Hasina’s political party.

Sheikh Hasina, aged 76, secured a fourth consecutive term in the January elections, which were boycotted by her main political opponents, with the U.S. and U.K. deeming the results as lacking credibility. Critics of Hasina’s administration have pointed to escalating human rights violations and corruption as defining features of her government.

Following Hasina’s resignation, Bangladesh faced continued unrest, with numerous police officers losing their lives, leading to a temporary halt in police operations across the nation. However, officers have since begun returning to duty, gradually restoring a sense of order on the streets.