Probe report deferred again

A Dhaka court has deferred until December 14 the submission of a further investigation report in a murder case filed over the killing of Md Sifat Hossain(26) in Mirpur-10 during the 2024 anti-discrimination student movement. Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 25 others are accused in the case.

The report was scheduled to be submitted on Monday, but the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) failed to do so. Metropolitan Magistrate Ariful Islam then set the new date.

Sifat’s father, Kamal Hawladar, filed the case against Sheikh Hasina and 21 others on August 15, 2024. The accused also include former ministers Obaidul Quader and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, former police chief Abdullah Al Mamun, former DB chief Harun Or Rashid and several former police officials.

On May 28, police submitted a charge sheet against 26 people. Dissatisfied with the exclusion of two accused, Ziaul Haque Zia and Mehedi Hasan, Sifat’s father filed a naraji petition on September 1, alleging flaws in the investigation.

After hearing the petition on October 5, the court ordered the PBI to conduct a further investigation.

According to the case statement, Sifat was shot dead on July 20, 2024, while crossing a road to reach safety during a police crackdown on quota reform protesters in Senpara, Mirpur-10. A bullet pierced his head, killing him on the spot.