Former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia  was sued for the murder of 42 people during the anti-government movement led by her Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) since Jan 5.

Besides Zia, three other BNP officials — standing committee member Rafiqul Islam Mia, vice chairman Shamser Mobin Chowdhury and pro-BNP intellectual Emajuddin Ahmed — have also been sued, the Daily Star reported.

After hearing the complaint, Dhaka’s Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Atikur Rahman ordered Gulshan police to investigate the allegations.

“Khaleda Zia masterminded the incidents of killing while the rest three instigated the incidents,” A.B.Siddique, president of Bangladesh Jananetri Parishad, a pro-Awami League organisation, said in his complaint.

Siddique filed the case ealier in the day in the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court.

The complaint says the BNP-led 20-party men blasted petrol bombs and crude bombs during the non-stop movement, leaving 42 people dead and hundreds injured.

The blockade, that continued for the 28th day Monday, began after the government did not allow the BNP to hold a rally marking the first anniversary of the Jan 5 elections as “democracy killing day”.