ZI Khan Panna, BGB DG sued for ‘attempted murder’

Supreme Court lawyer ZI Khan Panna and the Director General of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui, have been named in an attempted murder case filed on October 17.

The case is connected to the injury of a youth during the mass student-led protests earlier this year.

Md Baker, 52, lodged the case with Khilgaon Police Station, accusing 180 individuals, including Panna and the BGB chief, of involvement in the shooting of his son, Ahadul Islam, on July 19.

According to the case statement, Ahadul was participating in a protest near Meradia Bazar when unnamed BGB and police personnel, and Awami League activists, allegedly opened fire at the instruction of other accused people.

Ahadul sustained bullet wounds and was beaten after falling to the ground. He was later taken to a hospital for treatment.

Several high-profile figures have also been implicated, including former Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan.

Daud Hossain, the officer-in-charge of Khilgaon Police Station, confirmed that the case has been filed and that an investigation is underway to verify the allegations.

ZI Khan Panna, who has recently been critical of Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus’s "reset button" remarks, has voiced concerns over such cases.

He argues that these broad accusations, often including charges of murder, are intended to harass individuals, complicating the pursuit of justice.

Panna, who serves as the chairman of Ain o Salish Kendra, was a member of the National Mass Inquiry Commission, which was formed by prominent citizens on July 29 to investigate human rights violations and loss of life during the student-led protests.