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Court documents show that at least 24 cases have so far been filed with various police stations in Dhaka city against 77 journalists on different charges, including murder, attempted murder, and unlawful assembly linked to the uprising.

Of the journalists, Shyamal Dutta, former editor of Bhorer Kagoj; Mozammel Haque Babu, former managing director and editor-in-chief of Ekattor TV; Farzana Rupa, ex-principal correspondent at the TV channel; and Shakil Ahmed, former head of news at the same TV station, are now behind bars in connection with murder cases.

Seeking anonymity, a journalist, named in a murder case with Jatrabari Police Station, said the accusation of his involvement in killings during a protest on August 5, 2024, came as a shock to him.

“I knew nothing about the incident. I learnt about it from social media… This false case has taken a heavy toll on me over the last one and a half years,” the journalist, who works for a national daily, told The Daily Star.

Expressing frustration over the lack of progress in the probe, he said the prolonged legal battle not only affected his professional life but also left him in a state of uncertainty.

Another journalist, Kazi Nazrul Islam from Shariatpur, has been living in fear since he was implicated in an attempted murder case filed with the New Market Police Station in September 2024.

His fears grew after he observed that bail was rarely granted in cases linked to the uprising.

“I underwent stomach surgery at a Dhaka hospital on July 2, 2024. Following the doctor’s advice, I had been on bed rest at my Shariatpur home since then. Yet, I was made an accused in a case filed overan uprising-relatedincident on August 1, 2024, in the capital,” said Nazrul, a correspondent of Bangla daily “Jaijaidin” in Shariatpur.

“This case has severely affected me both mentally and financially. I don’t know when I will be cleared of it as the investigation drags on,” he added.

Lawyer Tariqul Islam, who has been defending a number of the accused in Dhaka courts, said many individuals with no political affiliation were arbitrarily arrested.

“They were listed as unidentified suspects under vague or fabricated charges and forced to remain in jail for months without trial... Such practices obstruct the course of justice and constitute a grave violation of fundamental human rights,” he noted.

VICTIMS’ FAMILIES FRUSTRATED

For Fatema Akter, a college student, the wait for justice has compounded her grief.

She is the eldest daughter of Mohammad Habib, 45, who was killed in Jatrabari while taking part in a protest on July 20, 2024.

More than a year and a half passed since a murder case was filed with Jatrabari Police Station over her father’s killing, but there has been no visible progress in the investigation.

“We are still waiting for justice,” said Fatema, venting her frustration.

“My father was the sole breadwinner of our six‑member family… We are facing severe financial hardship. Now my brother is the only earning member, but his income is not enough to support the family,” she said.

Like her, Nurul Amin Mollah from Patuakhali has been waiting to see justice served.

His 23-year-old son, Jihad Hossain, a master’s student at Kabi Nazrul Government College, was shot dead in Shonir Akhra area during a protest on July 19, 2024.

Nearly two months later, Nurul filed a murder case with Jatrabari Police Station against 84 people, but police have yet to submit a probe report, according to court records.

“I don’t know what has happened to the case. We only sought justice… All we can do now is wait,” Nurul told The Daily Star.

When contacted, AHM Sahadat Hossaine, assistant inspector general (media and public relations) at the PHQ, said the July uprising-related cases are highly sensitive, and that investigations are taking more time than usual due to large numbers of accused in the cases.

“The priority is to verify evidence -- such as video footage, digital data, witness testimonies -- and submit charge sheets that will hold up during trial,” he said, adding that police are working to complete investigations as quickly as possible.

In reply to a query, he said, “Allegations of harassment of innocent individuals, including journalists, are being taken seriously. Police are verifying cases involving erroneous or insufficiently supported accusations. Legal measures are being taken to provide relief where appropriate.”