Witness 8: Muhammad Mehedi Hasan Jumman
Deposition of Muhammad Mehedi Hasan Jumman
Age: 24 years
Father’s/Mother’s name: [reedacted]
Current address: [redacted] Dhaka.
I am currently a fourth-year student in the Philosophy department at Dhaka College.
In 2024, I joined the anti-discrimination student movement. On July 16, 2024, from 11 am to 5 pm, I was protesting at Shantinagar Mor. On July 17, 2024, I was at the same location. On July 18, 2024, I joined the protest in front of Abul Hotel in Malibagh-Rampura. Approximately a thousand of us students were peacefully stationed at that location. After 10 am, members of the Ansar force and terrorists from Chhatra League and Jubo League attacked us with weapons from the direction of the Khilgaon Ansar Headquarters. The Ansar members fired at us with their shotguns, threw tear shells, and fired rubber bullets. Many, including myself, were injured by splinters in that incident. Later that afternoon, police officers from Rajarbagh Police Line joined them. Around 3 pm, they threw tear gas shells and sound grenades at the protesting students in an attempt to disperse them. The following morning, I learned that a person named ‘Mamun’ had died from a gunshot wound in the Rampura area the previous day.
On Friday, July 19, 2024, after the Jummah prayer, about a thousand students and civilians marched towards Rampura Bazar. At that time, police and BGB members took positions under the footbridge in front of the Rampura TV Center. They continuously fired rubber bullets and tear gas canisters. They fired lethal weapons every five minutes. Right in front of me, several people were shot, and one person died on the spot. Some of us took the injured to a temporary medical camp of the Red Crescent located on Rampura-Wapda Road for treatment. Later, I heard that many of them had died. Leaving them at the camp, I rejoined the protest. At approximately 5 pm, while I was stationed in front of Rampura Delta Hospital, I was shot by the BGB and police. A bullet entered through one side of my right knee and exited through the other side. The mark of the bullet is still present here. (At this stage, the witness shows the bullet mark on his knee to the tribunal). Due to being shot, my nerves were damaged, and I now have to walk with support.
After being shot, some people took me to the Red Crescent’s temporary camp. Following primary treatment there, I was taken to AMZ Hospital in Badda. Surgery was performed on my knee, but due to government directives, the hospital authorities did not admit me. That night, I went to Holy Family Hospital. Instead of admitting me as a gunshot victim, they recorded my admission as having sustained a bone injury. While admitted there, on July 25, 2024, the CID police arrested me. However, as my condition was critical, they kept me there under police custody. On August 5, 2024, the police left me at the hospital, and I returned home.
Subsequently, I received treatment at Dhaka CMH, Savar CRP, and Narayana Hospital in Bangalore, India. At Narayana Hospital, I underwent two operations on my knee. Currently, another operation is required to replace the damaged nerve with another nerve graft.
Later, through a video report by “The Daily Star”, I learned that under the leadership of BGB’s Redowan, Major Rafat, Police ADC Rashedul, and Rampura Police Station’s OC Mashiur, they fired upon the student-public on the day of the incident. This resulted in many deaths and injuries, including myself. In the video footage, I further saw Lieutenant Colonel Redowan shooting at us. I saw members dressed in police and BGB uniforms firing.
I seek exemplary punishment for those involved in this incident.
The investigating officer has questioned me.
This is my deposition.
Cross-examination on behalf of Redowanul Islam by Learned State Defense Counsel Masud Salauddin (on behalf of Learned Lawyer Aminul Gani Titu):
The distance from my home in Kunipara to Shantinagar is approximately 4-5 kilometers.
June 16
Advocate Masud Salahuddin conducted the remaining cross-examination on behalf of the accused, Redowanul Islam. Mr. Salahuddin appeared as the alternate defense counsel, stepping in following the demise of the original defense lawyer, the late Aminul Gani Titu
I am a student. At the time of the incident, I was living with my parents in Tejgaon. No protests took place in front of my house. My house is located in a residential area under the jurisdiction of Hatirjheel. On July 18, 2024, pellets fired by the Police, Jubo League, Chhatra League, and Ansar hit my lips, forehead, and various parts of my body. I was wearing jeans and a polo t-shirt. There was slight bleeding. I did not go to any hospital on July 18, 2024. I do not know if anyone other than me went to the hospital.
The next morning, I learned through my friend Nahian that a protester named Mamun was killed in the shooting on the 18th. Around 10:00 AM on the 19th, I left my house and went to Twin Tower Market in Shantinagar. My friend Rakib was with me. I did not participate in any procession in Shantinagar. I performed the Jummah prayer at the mosque behind Twin Tower. After the prayer, between approximately 2:30 PM and 3:00 PM, I went in front of Abul Hotel. The rickshaw did not go as far as Rampura Bazar because there was a crowd ahead. The distance from Abul Hotel to Rampura Bazar is approximately half a kilometer. Many among the protesters were chanting slogans. The distance from Rampura Bazar to the TV Center is approximately less than half a kilometer. I heard from the protesters that many among the injured died that day.
“Later, through a video report by “The Daily Star”, I learned that under the leadership of BGB’s Redowan, Major Rafat, Police ADC Rashedul, and Rampura Police Station’s OC Mashiur, they fired upon the student-public on the day of the incident. This resulted in many deaths and injuries, including myself. In the video footage, I further saw Lieutenant Colonel Redowan shooting at us. I saw members dressed in police and BGB uniforms who were firing.”— I did not mention these points to the Investigating Officer.
It is not true that I did not go to the protest on July 19, 2024, or that I was receiving treatment at home after being injured by pellets on July 18, 2024.
It is not true that I gave false testimony.
Cross-examination by Defense Lawyer Md. Abul Hasan on behalf of the accused Major Rafat Bin Mun:
The Investigating Officer questioned me two or three times. I do not remember the specific dates. It takes approximately two to three minutes to walk from the Red Crescent camp to Delta Hospital. I have submitted all my medical documents to the Investigating Officer. I do not know whether the protesters attacked or if BTV was attacked on July 19, 2024.
On July 18, 2024, and July 19, 2024, I saw a vehicle on fire in front of the Abul Hotel; however, I do not know who set the fire.
I did not file any case regarding my injuries. I do not know whether the protesters threw stones or bricks at the law enforcement forces.
It is not true that I gave false testimony stating Major Rafat fired at the protesters.
It is not true that I was not present at the scene at the time of the incident on July 19, 2024.
It is not true that I gave false testimony as per instructions.
Cross-examination by Learned State Defense Lawyer Md. Amir Hossain on behalf of the fugitive accused Mohammad Rashedul Islam and Mohammad Mashiur Rahman
The members of Chhatra League and Jubo League were in plain clothes.
It is not true that no members of Chhatra League or Jubo League were present there or did not fire.
It is not true that on July 19, 2024, members of the Police and BGB took position under the Rampura foot-over bridge to protect life and property.
I do not know if the protesters attacked the BTV building on July 19, 2024.
It is not true that I did not see who was firing.
It is not true that I lied about the statement that, “They fired lethal weapons every five minutes. Right in front of me, several people were shot, and one person died on the spot.”
The person who died was likely named Mamun. I cannot name the others who were taken to the temporary medical camp of Red Crescent on WAPDA Road. I know the name of one person from that medical camp, his name is Kishor Majumdar.
It is not true that there was no Red Crescent medical camp on WAPDA Road.
It is not true that I gave false testimony stating “Later, I heard that many of them had died. Leaving them at the camp, I rejoined the protest. At approximately 5 pm, while I was stationed in front of Rampura Delta Hospital, I was shot by the BGB and police. A bullet entered through one side of my right knee and exited through the other side.”
It is not true that I lied about this statement, “a surgery was performed on my knee, but due to government directives, the hospital authorities did not admit me.”
I showed the video report from the Daily Star to the Investigating Officer. I did not give it to the Investigating Officer because he already had the video and thus did not take it from me.
It is not true that I am giving false testimony about this, “Later, through a video report by “The Daily Star”, I learned that under the leadership of BGB’s Redowan, Major Rafat, Police ADC Rashedul, and Rampura Police Station’s OC Mashiur, they fired upon the student-public on the day of the incident. This resulted in many deaths and injuries, including myself. In the video footage, I further saw Lieutenant Colonel Redowan shooting at us. I saw members dressed in police and BGB uniforms who were firing.”
It is not true that OC Mashiur and ADC Rashedul were not involved in this incident.
It is not true that I gave false testimony.
June 24, 2026.