Former Khulna City Corporation (KCC) mayor Talukder Abdul. File photo

KHULNA, Aug 19, 2025 (BSS) - A case was filed in the Khulna Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court against former Khulna City Corporation (KCC) mayor Talukder Abdul Khaleque and 54 others over the attack on leaders and activists of the anti-discrimination student movement on July 31 last year.

The accused also include former parliament members Sheikh Salahuddin Jewel, S.M. Kamal Hossain, Begum Mannujan Sufian, Abdus Salam Murshedy, Sheikh Helal Uddin, Narayan Chandra Chanda, Akteruzzaman Babu, Rashiduzzaman Morol, as well as several banned Awami League, Jubo League, and BCL leaders-Sheikh Harunur Rashid, Sheikh Sohel, Shafiqul Rahman Palash, and Sheikh Shahajalal Sujon.

Other names in the case are former Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP) commissioner Mozammel Haque, regional food controller Iqbal Bahar Chowdhury, former police officials Sonali Sen, Gopinath Kanjilal and Nuruzzaman, former Khulna Press Club president S.M. Nazrul Islam, along with a number of student and youth leaders.

Former joint coordinator of the student movement in Khulna, Sajedul Islam Bappy, filed the petition as plaintiff.

Confirming the matter, plaintiff's lawyer Md Kamal Hossain said the court accepted the petition on Sunday (August 17) and instructed the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) to conduct a probe and submit its report at the earliest.

According to the case statement, the accused, led by ex-mayor Khaleque, carried out a planned attack on the anti-discrimination student movement while they were marching towards the "March for Justice" rally at Khulna's Satrasta intersection on July 31, 2024.

The attackers allegedly used shotguns, pistols, crude bombs and bricks, leaving many students critically injured. Even students undergoing treatment at nearby clinics were assaulted before being handed over to law enforcement agencies.

The victims initially went to Khulna Police Station on August 10, 2025, to lodge a case but were advised to move to the court for justice. 

Subsequently, the petition was filed with the Khulna Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court on August 12, which was accepted five days later.