A court in Feni on Wednesday issued arrest warrants for deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 216 others in a case filed over the murder of Masum during the July uprising.
Senior Judicial Magistrate Md Hasan passed the order after taking the police investigation report into cognisance.
The list of 217 accused includes high-profile figures such as former road transport and bridges minister Obaidul Quader, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, former lawmaker for Feni-3 Masud Uddin Chowdhury, and former lawmaker for Feni-2 Nizam Uddin Hazari.
Top-level leaders and activists of the Awami League and its affiliate organisations have also been charged in the case.
According to court sources, Masum was among 11 youths shot dead in Feni on 4 August during the student-led mass movement. Following a detailed investigation, the police submitted their report to the court.
The court issued the warrants as the accused are currently absconding and directed the relevant police stations to take necessary action for their arrest.
Advocate Mezbauddin, a lawyer involved in the case, stated that this order marks a significant step forward in the trial of the killing. He expressed hope that the legal process to apprehend the fugitive suspects would now be fast-tracked.
