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1975 Jail Killing

On 3 November 1975, four senior Bangladeshi political leaders held at Dhaka Central Jail were shot and bayoneted to death by army officers acting under the post-coup government of President Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad.

SOLVED1975

Dhaka Central Jail, Dhaka, Bangladesh

3 SOURCESUPDATED JUL 2026
Tajuddin Ahmad, Syed Nazrul Islam, Muhammad Mansur Ali, A. H. M. Qamaruzzaman
Tajuddin Ahmad, Syed Nazrul Islam, Muhammad Mansur Ali, A. H. M. Qamaruzzaman — Credit: Wikimedia Commons (1970 photograph) · Public domain (verify-on-commons (1970 photo, likely PD))

Overview

The 1975 Jail Killing refers to the murder of four national leaders of the Bangladesh Liberation War inside Dhaka Central Jail on 3 November 1975. The victims were former vice-president/president Syed Nazrul Islam, former prime ministers Tajuddin Ahmad and Muhammad Mansur Ali, and former home minister and Awami League president A. H. M. Qamaruzzaman.

Background

The killings followed the 15 August 1975 coup d'état in which President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was killed and the Awami League government was overthrown. In the aftermath, the military administration detained roughly 50 Awami League activists, including the four senior leaders, at Dhaka Central Jail.

The Killings

On 3 November 1975, jailer Aminur Rahman was ordered to move the four leaders from their separate cells into a single room, on the pretext that a representative of the Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad government would meet them. Four army officers led by Moslemuddin were initially refused entry by the deputy inspector general of prisons but were admitted on the orders of President Ahmad. The officers shot the four leaders in their cell, killing all except Muhammad Mansur Ali. A prison guard, Motaleb, heard Ali's dying calls for water and alerted jail officials; an army team that had returned to the jail entrance then went back in and bayoneted all four men, resulting in their deaths.

Later that same day, Major General Khaled Mosharraf and Colonel Shafaat Jamil launched a successful counter-coup that removed President Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad and those responsible for Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's killing from power.

Investigation and Trial

A first information report was filed with Lalbagh police station, and the investigating officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police Saifuddin Ahmed, was not permitted to visit the jail cell. Investigation stalled from 1975 to 1995 amid lack of government interest, and post-mortem and police investigation files went missing. The Indemnity Ordinance, 1975 shielded the army officers involved. After the Awami League returned to power in 1996, the investigation resumed, and a charge sheet naming 23 accused was filed on 15 October 1998.

The Metropolitan Sessions Court convicted 15 of 20 accused. Marfot Ali Shah, Moslemuddin, and Abdul Hashem Mridha were sentenced to death; twelve others received life imprisonment; five, including KM Obaidur Rahman and Taheruddin Thakur, were acquitted. On appeal in 2008, the Bangladesh High Court upheld only Moslemuddin's sentence and acquitted several others. In 2013, the Bangladesh Supreme Court restored the death sentences of Marfat Ali Shah and Abul Hashem Mridha. Abdul Majed was detained on 7 April 2020 and executed on 12 April 2020. As of 2022, the government sought the return of Mohamed Khairuzzaman from Malaysia; Rashed Chowdhury remained in the United States and Noor Chowdhury in Canada.

3 November is observed annually in Bangladesh as Jail Killing Day.

Key facts

Victims
Syed Nazrul Islam, A. H. M. Qamaruzzaman, Tajuddin Ahmad, Muhammad Mansur Ali
Date
1975
Location
Dhaka Central Jail, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Case status
solved

Case timeline

  1. 1975-08-15

    President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is killed in a coup d'état; the Awami League government is overthrown.

  2. 1975-11-03

    Syed Nazrul Islam, Tajuddin Ahmad, Muhammad Mansur Ali, and A. H. M. Qamaruzzaman are shot and bayoneted to death in Dhaka Central Jail; a counter-coup by Khaled Mosharraf and Shafaat Jamil removes President Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad from power the same day.

  3. 1996

    Investigation into the killings resumes after the Awami League is elected to power.

  4. 1998-10-15

    A charge sheet is presented against 23 accused.

  5. 2004-09-30

    Metropolitan Sessions Judge Motiur Rahman issues an arrest warrant against Deputy Superintendent of Police Saifuddin Ahmed.

  6. 2008-08-29

    Bangladesh High Court issues its verdict on the appeal of the 2004 judgement.

  7. 2013

    Bangladesh Supreme Court delivers its verdict on the appeal, restoring two death sentences.

  8. 2020-04-07

    Abdul Majed is detained.

  9. 2020-04-12

    Abdul Majed is executed.

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People

  • Mohamed Khairuzzaman

    ACQUITTED

    Found innocent of all charges by Metropolitan Sessions Court; as of 2022 the government sought his return from Malaysia

  • Rashed Chowdhury

    CONVICTED

    Sentenced to life imprisonment by Metropolitan Sessions Court; reported to be living in the United States

  • Sultan Shahriar Rashid Khan

    CONVICTED

    Sentenced to life imprisonment by Metropolitan Sessions Court; later found innocent on appeal by the High Court

  • S. H. M. B. Noor Chowdhury

    CONVICTED

    Sentenced to life imprisonment by Metropolitan Sessions Court; reported to be living in Canada

  • Syed Nazrul Islam

    VICTIM

    Former vice-president/acting president of Bangladesh; killed 3 November 1975 in Dhaka Central Jail

  • A. H. M. Qamaruzzaman

    VICTIM

    Former home minister and Awami League president; killed 3 November 1975 in Dhaka Central Jail

  • A.K.M. Mohiuddin Ahmed

    CONVICTED

    Sentenced to life imprisonment by Metropolitan Sessions Court; later found innocent on appeal by the High Court

  • KM Obaidur Rahman

    ACQUITTED

    Bangladesh Nationalist Party MP; found innocent of all charges by Metropolitan Sessions Court

  • Moslemuddin

    CONVICTED

    Led the army officers who entered the jail; sentenced to death, upheld on appeal by the High Court and Supreme Court

  • Tajuddin Ahmad

    VICTIM

    Former prime minister of Bangladesh; killed 3 November 1975 in Dhaka Central Jail

  • Abdul Majed

    CONVICTED

    Sentenced to life imprisonment; detained 7 April 2020 and executed 12 April 2020

  • Marfot Ali Shah

    CONVICTED

    Sentenced to death by Metropolitan Sessions Court; death sentence upheld by Bangladesh Supreme Court in 2013

  • Taheruddin Thakur

    ACQUITTED

    Out on bail during trial; found innocent of all charges by Metropolitan Sessions Court

  • Abdul Hashem Mridha

    CONVICTED

    Sentenced to death by Metropolitan Sessions Court; death sentence upheld by Bangladesh Supreme Court in 2013

  • Mohammad Bazlul Huda

    CONVICTED

    Sentenced to life imprisonment by Metropolitan Sessions Court; later found innocent on appeal by the High Court

  • Nazmul Hossain Ansar

    CONVICTED

    Sentenced to life imprisonment by Metropolitan Sessions Court

  • Muhammad Mansur Ali

    VICTIM

    Former prime minister of Bangladesh; killed 3 November 1975 in Dhaka Central Jail

  • Ahmed Sharful Hossain

    CONVICTED

    Sentenced to life imprisonment by Metropolitan Sessions Court

  • Mohammad Kismat Hashem

    CONVICTED

    Sentenced to life imprisonment by Metropolitan Sessions Court

  • Khandaker Abdur Rashid

    CONVICTED

    Sentenced to life imprisonment by Metropolitan Sessions Court

  • Syed Faruque Rahman

    CONVICTED

    Sentenced to life imprisonment by Metropolitan Sessions Court; later found innocent on appeal by the High Court

  • Shariful Haque Dalim

    CONVICTED

    Sentenced to life imprisonment by Metropolitan Sessions Court

  • Shah Moazzem Hossain

    ACQUITTED

    Out on bail during trial; found innocent of all charges by Metropolitan Sessions Court

  • Nurul Islam Manzur

    ACQUITTED

    Found innocent of all charges by Metropolitan Sessions Court

Roles reflect public records and court outcomes at the time of writing — supporting citations are on file under Sources.

Archival records

  • Tajuddin Ahmad, Syed Nazrul Islam, Muhammad Mansur Ali, A. H. M. Qamaruzzaman

    portrait victim

    Tajuddin Ahmad, Syed Nazrul Islam, Muhammad Mansur Ali, A. H. M. Qamaruzzaman

    Credit: Wikimedia Commons (1970 photograph) · Public domain (verify-on-commons (1970 photo, likely PD)) · Source

  • Dhaka central jail 8

    archival location

    Dhaka central jail 8

    Credit: Wasiul Bahar · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source

  • 2022-11-03 Sheikh Hasina pays floral tributes at Banani Cemetery Dhaka Jail Killing Day (PID-0020308)

    archival location

    2022-11-03 Sheikh Hasina pays floral tributes at Banani Cemetery Dhaka Jail Killing Day (PID-0020308)

    Credit: Press Information Department · Public domain · Source

  • Sheikh Hasina pays tribute at Banani Cemetery November 3 2022 (PID-0020305)

    archival location

    Sheikh Hasina pays tribute at Banani Cemetery November 3 2022 (PID-0020305)

    Credit: Press Information Department · Public domain · Source

  • 2021-11-03 Floral tributes offered at Banani Cemetery, Dhaka, on Jail Killing Day (PID-0026758)

    archival location

    2021-11-03 Floral tributes offered at Banani Cemetery, Dhaka, on Jail Killing Day (PID-0026758)

    Credit: Press Information Department · Public domain · Source

  • Sheikh Hasina at Banani Graveyard, Dhaka, paying homage on Jail Killing Day, 2022-11-03 (PID-0020303)

    archival location

    Sheikh Hasina at Banani Graveyard, Dhaka, paying homage on Jail Killing Day, 2022-11-03 (PID-0020303)

    Credit: Press Information Department · Public domain · Source

  • Sheikh Hasina paying homage at Banani Graveyard, Dhaka, on Jail Killing Day, 2022-11-03 (PID-0020306)

    archival location

    Sheikh Hasina paying homage at Banani Graveyard, Dhaka, on Jail Killing Day, 2022-11-03 (PID-0020306)

    Credit: Press Information Department · Public domain · Source

  • 2021-11-03 Obaidul Quader Pays Tribute to Martyrs of 1975 at Banani Cemetery, Dhaka (PID-0026761)

    archival location

    2021-11-03 Obaidul Quader Pays Tribute to Martyrs of 1975 at Banani Cemetery, Dhaka (PID-0026761)

    Credit: Press Information Department · Public domain · Source

  • Sheikh Hasina lays wreath at Banani Graveyard for August 15 and November 3 victims 2022-11-03 (PID-0020309)

    archival location

    Sheikh Hasina lays wreath at Banani Graveyard for August 15 and November 3 victims 2022-11-03 (PID-0020309)

    Credit: Press Information Department · Public domain · Source

  • Sheikh Hasina Pays Respects at Banani Cemetery, Dhaka, 2022-11-03 (PID-0020307)

    archival location

    Sheikh Hasina Pays Respects at Banani Cemetery, Dhaka, 2022-11-03 (PID-0020307)

    Credit: Press Information Department · Public domain · Source

  • Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina lays floral wreaths Banani Graveyard Dhaka November 3 2022 (PID-0020311)

    archival location

    Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina lays floral wreaths Banani Graveyard Dhaka November 3 2022 (PID-0020311)

    Credit: Press Information Department · Public domain · Source

  • Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paying respects at Banani Cemetery Dhaka 2022-11-03 (PID-0020302)

    archival location

    Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paying respects at Banani Cemetery Dhaka 2022-11-03 (PID-0020302)

    Credit: Press Information Department · Public domain · Source

Places

Dhaka Central Jail, Dhaka, Bangladesh

23.7275, 90.3986

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Common questions

What happened to the victim?
On 3 November 1975, four senior Bangladeshi political leaders held at Dhaka Central Jail were shot and bayoneted to death by army officers acting under the post-coup government of President Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad.
Where did the killing happen?
Dhaka Central Jail, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Who was convicted?
Rashed Chowdhury (Sentenced to life imprisonment by Metropolitan Sessions Court; reported to be living in the United States), Sultan Shahriar Rashid Khan (Sentenced to life imprisonment by Metropolitan Sessions Court; later found innocent on appeal by the High Court), S. H. M. B. Noor Chowdhury (Sentenced to life imprisonment by Metropolitan Sessions Court; reported to be living in Canada), A.K.M. Mohiuddin Ahmed (Sentenced to life imprisonment by Metropolitan Sessions Court; later found innocent on appeal by the High Court), Moslemuddin (Led the army officers who entered the jail; sentenced to death, upheld on appeal by the High Court and Supreme Court), Abdul Majed (Sentenced to life imprisonment; detained 7 April 2020 and executed 12 April 2020), Marfot Ali Shah (Sentenced to death by Metropolitan Sessions Court; death sentence upheld by Bangladesh Supreme Court in 2013), Abdul Hashem Mridha (Sentenced to death by Metropolitan Sessions Court; death sentence upheld by Bangladesh Supreme Court in 2013), Mohammad Bazlul Huda (Sentenced to life imprisonment by Metropolitan Sessions Court; later found innocent on appeal by the High Court), Nazmul Hossain Ansar (Sentenced to life imprisonment by Metropolitan Sessions Court), Ahmed Sharful Hossain (Sentenced to life imprisonment by Metropolitan Sessions Court), Mohammad Kismat Hashem (Sentenced to life imprisonment by Metropolitan Sessions Court), Khandaker Abdur Rashid (Sentenced to life imprisonment by Metropolitan Sessions Court), Syed Faruque Rahman (Sentenced to life imprisonment by Metropolitan Sessions Court; later found innocent on appeal by the High Court), and Shariful Haque Dalim (Sentenced to life imprisonment by Metropolitan Sessions Court).
What is the current status of the case?
Status: solved. Last verified July 2026.
More cases in Bangladesh

Sources

  1. ENCYCLOPEDIC1975 Jail KillingWikipedia · 2026-07-07
  2. PRESSContemporaneous coverage — The New York TimesThe New York Times · 2026-07-07
  3. PRESSContemporaneous coverage — BBC NewsBBC News · 2026-07-07

Record history

First published
JUL 07, 2026
Last verified against sources
JUL 07, 2026

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