The blood shed on the streets during the so-called July mass uprising and the sacrifices of those injured or martyred by police bullets are considered a matter of question by the entire nation. Capitalizing on this opportunity and serving personal or group interests, a dishonest circle's tendency to file fabricated cases has created a new humanitarian and moral crisis before the judicial system.

Recently, the police have submitted a final report in a sensational case accusing former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 84 others based on a fictitious and fabricated claim of sustaining nine bullet wounds during the July uprising. A thorough investigation revealed that far from taking a bullet, the plaintiff, Noor Hossain, was not even present at the scene on the day of the incident and was in no way injured. This incident has not only exposed the forgery of a false case but has also vividly portrayed how agonizingly tortuous it makes the path for genuine victims seeking justice.

Inside the Fake Case: How the Drama Was Staged

In the case filed in the Dhaka court on December 1 (2024), plaintiff Noor Hossain presented a tragic (so-called) picture of August 4 in the Mayur Villa area adjacent to the Mohammadpur bus stand. His claim was that while participating in the mass movement amid indiscriminate attacks that day, he was hit by a total of nine bullets—six in the back, two above his left knee, and one beside his right knee. It was even alleged that the assailants hurled bricks at him, and when he was taken to Bangladesh Medical College Hospital in critical condition, the hospital authorities refused to give him full treatment out of fear for the assailants.

However, this statement was completely debunked by the final report submitted by Mohammadpur Police Station Sub-Inspector (SI) Ukyamong Rakhine. This report was submitted to the court of Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Ashraful Haque on September 29. Recently, upon reviewing the records, the court ordered the issuance of a show-cause notice to the plaintiff and fixed December 1 as the next date for hearing.

Fraudulent Medical Prescriptions and Documents

According to the investigation report, the prescription and documents from the emergency department of Bangladesh Medical College Hospital submitted by plaintiff Noor Hossain with the complaint were entirely the product of forgery. Upon checking the hospital's main register and records, it was proven that no person named Noor Hossain sought a doctor's consultation there on the date in question.

The report highlighted two specific inconsistencies in the forgery:

1. Doctors in the emergency department of the hospital always write prescriptions by hand, whereas the document submitted by Noor Hossain was typed on a computer.

2. The cash memo number used on the prescription was allocated to a different patient named 'Abdus Sattar,' aged 54, and the patient ID number belonged to another individual named 'Jewel,' aged 32.

Moreover, no trace of Noor Hossain's name was found in any official government gazette published of those injured in the July uprising.

Recommendation for Exoneration and Legal Context

As no primary truth was found in the allegations during the investigation, a recommendation has been made to completely exonerate 84 accused individuals, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader. Others included in this list are former minister Shahjahan Khan, former Councilor of Ward 29 of the Dhaka North City Corporation Salimullah Solu, student leaders, and familiar faces from various political circles. Although various accused individuals had been shown as 'show arrested' or detained in other cases following the filing of this lawsuit.

The investigating officer stated that the police did not take any direct legal action against the plaintiff for attempting to mislead the state judicial system. However, relevant circles believe that the court has full jurisdiction to take strict legal action to uphold the rule of law and ensure that no one can use the judiciary as a weapon for personal gain in the future.

The Misuse of the Judicial Process and Moral Accountability from Analysts' Perspective

According to law and crime analysts, the filing of such fake and fabricated cases is only increasing judicial backlog.

Just as a fair trial for any crime is essential in a healthy and democratic society, protecting innocent people from harassment by preventing the misuse of the judicial system is equally crucial. This incident reminds us that extrajudicial or motivated allegations built by capitalizing on emotions are ultimately bound to be reduced to dust in the light of truth. Now, it remains to be seen what exemplary order the court will issue against this forgery in the hearing on December 1.

Author: Dr. Abul Hasnat Milton, Journalist, Political Analyst, and Editor-in-Chief, The Source News Bangla