The Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) has provided a detailed justification for its decision to recommend the discharge of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 112 other individuals from an attempted murder case. Following intense public and social media scrutiny, the bureau revealed that the legal proceedings were based on entirely fabricated identities and a “ghost” victim, rendering the charges legally untenable.
The Collapse of a High-Profile Suit
The case, filed on 3 September 2024 at Dhanmondi Police Station, alleged that a youth named Shahed Ali was critically injured during the anti-discrimination protests on 4 August. The complainant, identified as Sharif, claimed to be the victim’s elder brother and named the former Prime Minister and her son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, among the primary orchestrators of the violence.
However, the PBI’s headquarters explained that a rigorous field investigation exposed “grave inconsistencies” that decimated the credibility of the suit. The following discrepancies were central to the PBI’s final report:
Fabricated Identity: The National ID card provided for the victim, Shahed Ali, was found to be a counterfeit. No mobile phone numbers were registered to the ID, and the individual was unknown at his listed residence.
False Kinship: Investigators proved that the complainant, Sharif, had no familial relationship with the alleged victim.
Non-Existent Business: Although the FIR stated the victim owned a shop in Shimanto Square, the Market Committee confirmed in writing that no such person ever traded there.
Anonymised “Injured”: Nine other victims were listed without addresses or full names, making it impossible for Dhaka College and City College authorities to verify their existence.
Statistical Update on Movement-Related Cases
While this specific case was dismissed as fraudulent, the PBI underscored its commitment to genuine accountability for the July-August uprising. The bureau provided a summary of its investigative progress to date:
| Case Type | Status | Quantity |
| GR Cases | Charge sheets submitted to court | 17 |
| CR Cases | Investigation reports finalised | 67 |
| Dhanmondi Case | Recommended for discharge (Final Report) | 01 |
| Accused Cleared | Total individuals (Case No. 01) | 113 |
Next Steps in the Judicial Process
Sub-Inspector Abul Bashar, the General Recording Officer at the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court, confirmed that the PBI’s recommendation for the mass discharge has been officially submitted. The judiciary is now set to review this final report, with a hearing scheduled for 3 February 2026.
The PBI concluded its briefing by stating that while they remain dedicated to investigating movement-related violence, they cannot proceed with cases where the “victim and the narrative are functionally non-existent.”