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Eight years after the killing of Teknaf municipality councillor Akramul Haque, a new investigation is poised to challenge the official narrative of a 'gunfight,' bringing a glimmer of hope for justice to his grieving family. The family has long alleged that Akramul was extrajudicially killed by the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) and that evidence was planted to justify the act. His widow, Ayesha Begum, recounted the harrowing experience of being unable to file a formal complaint with the police or the court due to intimidation from Rab, a situation that persisted for years.

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Since my husband’s killing, we tried to file a case but could never do so due to intimidation from Rab.

This renewed investigation, reportedly nearing completion and submission to the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), has identified the involvement of 10 individuals. Significantly, the list includes prominent figures such as former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, former Rab chief Benazir Ahmed, and former lawmaker Abdur Rahman Bodi, alongside several serving and retired Rab officers. This development marks a critical juncture, potentially moving the case beyond the initial 'gunfight' narrative that has stalled justice for so long. The family's persistent efforts, including the disclosure of an audio clip they claim to have recorded during the incident, have been instrumental in keeping the case alive.

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After August 5, 2024, authorities contacted her and asked her to file a complaint with the International Crimes Tribunal over her husband’s killing.

Akramul Haque's family vehemently denies the Rab's initial claims of a drug-related encounter, asserting that he was an opponent of the yaba trade and actively organized anti-yaba protests. The alleged audio clip, featuring the sounds of a struggle and pleas for life, serves as a chilling testament to the family's claims. The impending submission of the investigation report to the ICT, as confirmed by Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam, signifies a potential breakthrough. This case, long buried under official accounts, now stands on the precipice of accountability, offering a chance to rectify what the family maintains was a grave injustice orchestrated by state forces.

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My husband was innocent. He was always against drugs -- the yaba trade. He used to organise anti-yaba protests and rallies.