Two fresh complaints were submitted on Thursday to the International Crimes Tribunal accusing 30 individuals, including deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, of committing genocide and crimes against humanity during the 36-day Anti-Discrimination Students Movement.
The alleged atrocities occurred in Lakshmipur district and Dhaka鈥檚 Jatrabari area.
The complaints were filed with the office of chief prosecutor Md Tajul Islam, by family members of the two victims, supported by the Jatiya Nagorik Committee, a civic group advocating for justice, for the first time.
The committee, which comprises a 55-member executive body formed on September 8, aims to abolish 鈥榝ascist systems鈥� and establish a new political order in the country, according to a press release issued by the committee鈥檚 spokesman Samanta Sharmin.
In addition to the two complaints, a genocide and crimes against humanity complaint was lodged by Parvin Shafik, the mother of Shafik Uddin Ahmed, a student at BAF Shaheen College, who was killed during the movement in Mirpur 10 on August 4. The accused in this case remain unidentified.
With three new complaints, the total number of genocide and crimes against humanity cases brought before the ICT rises to 38.
Sixteen of other cases pertain to atrocities committed during Bangladesh鈥檚 1971 War of Independence, which remain unresolved, before the installation of an interim government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus.
The case against Hasina brings the total number of cases to over 200 filed against her nationwide, following her resignation and flight to India on August 5, amid a mass student uprising.
In one complaint on Thursday, five individuals, including Sheikh Hasina, who is also the president of the Awami League, have been named as accused.
The other complaint lists 25 accused, including former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan. Both Hasina and Khan are named in each case.
According to the Jatiya Nagorik Committee, one of the victims, Sakib Hasan, a bachelor鈥檚 student at Dania College, Jatrabari, was shot dead on July 18 during a 鈥榗omplete shutdown鈥� programme initiated by the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.
The incident occurred at the Kutubkhali Kazla petrol pump in Jatrabari. Sakib Hasan鈥檚 father, Md Murtaza Alam, filed a case against Hasina and four others.
Another case was filed by Md Abdur Rahman, father of Osman Patwary, a student at Chattogram Polytechnic Institute, who was killed in a shooting on August 4 during the movement in Lakshmipur鈥檚 Uttar Temuhni area.
In this case, Sheikh Hasina is named as the prime accused, along with Obaidul Quader, Asaduzzaman Khan, and several other Awami League leaders and affiliates.
Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha reported that a case was filed against 26 people including Sheikh Hasina over the killing of rickshaw puller Moniruzzaman Moni in the capital鈥檚 Fulbaria during movement.
The other prominent accused in the case are former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan, former inspector general of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, former Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Habibur Rahman and the DMP Detective Branch鈥檚 former chief Harun-or-Rashid.
Victim鈥檚 sister Nilufer Yasmin filed complaint with Dhaka metropolitan magistrate Md Akteruzzaman鈥檚 court which ordered Shahbagh police station officer-in-charge to record it as first information report.
Rickshaw puller Moni got shot and killed in Fulbaria on August 5.
The Jatiya Nagorik Committee鈥檚 members made a press briefing before the international crimes tribunal urging other families of victims who have yet to file complaints to come forward.
The committee also pledged to monitor the investigation鈥檚 progress and provide ongoing support to the victims鈥� families throughout the legal proceedings.
The committee emphasised that free legal aid, including pro bono services, would be offered not only to the victims of the July uprising but also to those students who experienced oppression and injustice under the Awami League鈥檚 rule at different educational institutions.