July Revolution's victim’s wife tells tribunal daughter was raped by Awami thugs after family sought justice

The wife of a man killed during the July Revolution has told the International Crimes Tribunal that her daughter was allegedly raped after the family sought justice for her husband’s death and later died by suicide.

Testifying before International Crimes Tribunal-1, Ruma Begum said her husband, Jasim Uddin, was shot near Allah Karim Mosque in Mohammadpur on July 19, 2024.

She alleged that Awami League and Chhatra League activists, alongside police, attacked a procession of students and other protesters after Friday prayers.

Jasim suffered a gunshot wound to his chest and severe injuries to his fingers. He died at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital on July 29 after 10 days of treatment.

Ruma alleged that police initially refused to release his body unless the family filed a case. He was eventually buried on July 31.

She said she travelled to Dhaka in March 2025 to give a statement to tribunal investigators over her husband’s killing.

According to her testimony, local Awami League activists subsequently targeted her elder daughter Lamia, an HSC examinee.

Ruma alleged that Lamia was raped on March 18 while returning from visiting her father’s grave.

She said her daughter later died by suicide after suffering severe psychological distress following the alleged assault.

“I want justice for my husband and my child,” Ruma told the tribunal.