TDS Desk:

A case has been filed on Sunday alleging an attempted murder of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. Among those named as defendants in the case are Kazi Salahuddin, President of the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF), and Mominul Haque Sayeed, General Secretary of the Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BHF).

The case was lodged by musician Asif Imam in the court of Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Zaki Al Farabi. After recording the plaintiff’s statement, the court directed Motijheel Police Station to accept the case as an official report (FIR). A total of 50 individuals have been accused, including Awami League Presidium member Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim and Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh.

Salahuddin has dismissed the allegations as false. The former football star said, “There is no reality to this case. It’s just someone’s whim. The country has known me for over 50 years. I’m not new here; I’m a former national team player of this country. None of this is true. The date mentioned in the case—I wasn’t even in the country at that time. It concerns an event from nine years ago.”

Expressing his disappointment, he added, “It is unfortunate. I never imagined even in my wildest dreams that a case would be filed against me, let alone an attempted murder case. I don’t even engage in politics. There are a few MPs on my board, but I’ve never sought a nomination or run for election. That’s not my place. I’ve never been involved in anything other than football. It’s deeply saddening that such a case has been filed against me.”

According to the case details, on April 20, 2015, during an election campaign rally in front of the BNP office, the accused allegedly launched an armed attack on Khaleda Zia’s motorcade with the intent to kill her. The attack resulted in the destruction of 12-14 vehicles from her convoy, the torching of four motorcycles, and the assault of party activists. Khaleda Zia’s bodyguards were reportedly injured during the incident.

Among the other accused in the case are individuals linked to the Awami League and the 14-party alliance, including Sheikh Helal, Faruk Khan, Nixon Chowdhury, Rashed Khan Menon, Hasanul Haq Inu, AKM Mominul Haque Sayeed, among others. Actors Zayed Khan, Saju Khadem, and Shahriar Nazim Joy have also been named as defendants in the same case.