Bangladesh: Former PM Sheikh Hasina, Several Others Indicted Over Alleged Irregularities
"Charges have been framed against the accused in three cases. In one of these cases, 12 people including Sheikh Hasina, in the second, 17 including Sheikh Hasina and Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and in the third, 18 people including Sheikh Hasina and Saima Wazed Putul," the country's leading Bengali daily 'Jugantor' quoted ACC Prosecutor Mir Ahmed Ali Salam as saying.
The courts also issued arrest warrants against them and fixed August 13 to record the testimonies of prosecution witnesses.
Bangladesh Awami League's media cell on Wednesday reported that the country is witnessing an alarming surge in "fake legal cases, mob violence, and political revenge" under the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government.
The party highlighted a "collapse of the justice system" in Bangladesh amid a "tsunami of fake cases" since the fall of the democratically-elected Awami League government. Earlier this month, the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) of Bangladesh sentenced Hasina to a six-month prison sentence on charges of contempt of court.
Additionally, Shakil Akanda Bulbul, a leader of the Awami League's student wing Chhatra League, was sentenced to two months in jail in connection with the same case. The three-member tribunal, headed by ICT Chairman Justice Golam Mortuza Majumdar, passed the judgment, local media reported.
The prosecutor filed contempt of court charges against Hasina and the Chhatra League leader based on a viral audio clip leaked on social media that featured the former Prime Minister and allegedly showed her interfering in the judicial process and issuing threats to the tribunal.
Last month, the ICT issued a show-cause notice to Hasina, who left the country in August 2024, and Bulbul in the alleged contempt of court case.
Analysts reckon the developments as a major political vendetta being pursued by the interim government led by Yunus, as several cases were filed against the former PM and her supporters on frivolous grounds immediately after her ouster in August 2024.
A leading voice in the struggle to restore democracy in the country, Hasina, the daughter of Bangladesh's founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, had to flee the country in an ignominious manner and seek refuge in India.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Sensitisation drive after dad, son face language harassment at Noida hotel
1 2 Kolkata: The Indian multinational hospitality chain of leased and franchised hotels, passed on an internal message to all hotels under its platform to not discriminate against any guest on the basis of caste, creed, religion, language, or nationality. The internal message was circulated a day after TOI reported how a techie from New Town, along with his 14-year-old son — a national-level skater — in Noida for a skating championship, was allegedly denied hotel stay, which he booked through OYO, in Sector 44 after being mistaken for Bangladeshis. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee also reacted to the issue on Thursday, asking why BJP-ruled states were not respecting the Bengali language. "I got to know about an incident that a techie was not allowed to stay in a hotel in Noida with his son simply because he spoke in Bengali. If I respect your language, why will you not respect mine?" she said at a govt programme commemorating the 12th anniversary of the Kanyashree social welfare scheme. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata | Gold Rates Today in Kolkata | Silver Rates Today in Kolkata In a video the man shot, the hotel receptionist was heard claiming the local cops instructed them not to allow anyone from Bangladesh, Punjab, and Jammu and Kashmir to stay at the hotels until Aug 15 for security issues. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Accounting Help Made Simple legal directorate Learn More Undo When the techie argued he was not a Bangladeshi but was from West Bengal, the receptionist claimed it was the same thing and denied them entry. The family shifted to another hotel in Sector 49 while OYO apologised to the guest. Noida Police also denied issuing any such directives, stating only ID checks for Bangladeshi nationals with valid documents are required. "The moment we saw the video, we started an enquiry. We have asked the owner of the hotel Meera Eternity to give us proof of which police officer may have asked them to deny guests on the basis of the language or address. We believe the hotel already resold the room to some other guest and thus made up the story, taking advantage of the current language row. We have already taken strict action against them, and following the enquiry, we may de-roster the hotel permanently from our platform," said a senior official. "OYO does not promote any form of discrimination based on race, religion, language, region, or ethnicity. Such behaviour is a clear violation of our policies, the law, and the values we uphold. OYO remains committed to ensuring safe, respectful, and inclusive stays, and any partner found engaging in discriminatory practices faces strict action, including permanent removal from our network," OYO said in a statement. The incident comes amidst a political storm that erupted since the start of the month following a letter — allegedly from the Delhi Police Lodhi Colony station — requesting a translator for the "Bangladeshi language," igniting outrage across India, especially in Bengali-speaking regions. "I am glad the company has addressed the issue and hope no one else faces harassment and humiliation like I faced," said the software engineer. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Amir is back, but kin of six other migrants left waiting
Kolkata: When 22-year-old Amir Sk, who had been deported to Bangladesh on suspicion of being an illegal immigrant, returned home to Malda's Kaliachak last week, hope flickered in Murarai, Birbhum. There, Bhodu Sk and Amir Khan are still waiting for the return of their family members, who were sent across the border under similar circumstances. Like Amir, they had shot a video pleading for help. Unlike him, they haven't come back. Fifty-two-year-old Bhodu has moved the Calcutta High Court seeking the return of his daughter Sunali Khatun, her husband Danish Sheikh and their minor son Sabir Sheikh. His petition notes that Sunali is eight-and-a-half months pregnant. The couple, who worked as ragpickers in Delhi's Rohini, were picked up by Delhi Police during an identity-verification drive. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata | Gold Rates Today in Kolkata | Silver Rates Today in Kolkata "No warrant was issued. No prior notice given. They were not told the reason for their detention," the petition says. Bhodu claims that while others picked up with them were released, his daughter's family disappeared. He says he submitted their EPICs, Aadhaar cards and land deeds dating back to the 1950s to prove citizenship, but that did not help. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Canada is looking for skilled immigrants from Jamaica! Canadian Visa Professionals Learn More Undo Around June 26, he learnt they had been sent to Bangladesh. Amir Khan is fighting a similar battle. He has petitioned the Calcutta HC for the return of his cousin Sweety Biwi and her sons Qurban Sheikh (16) and Imam Dewan (6), allegedly deported to Bangladesh around June 27. "Apart from Aadhaar, PAN, ration card, we also produced land documents from 1966 and 1976. But those were sent back," he has alleged in his plea, calling the deportations "a betrayal of law." The Calcutta HC is scheduled to hear the matter this week. The case has slowed because of a parallel petition in the Delhi High Court. Sources say a confessional statement has surfaced in which the adults admitted to being Bangladeshi citizens. Lawyers for Bhodu and Khan have questioned the validity of such confessions, pointing out that the detainees are illiterate. Samirul Islam, chairperson of the Bengal Migrant Welfare Board and a Murarai resident, said: "The video in which they appealed for help makes it amply clear that illegalities are being committed on poor Bengali-speaking people. They have been living in Bengal for generations. I know some of the families personally. We hope the Calcutta High Court will give us justice, like in the Amir Sk case. Before deporting them, Delhi Police or BSF could have verified their identities with the Bengal govt. Intimidating and traumatising poor migrants cannot become the norm." Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Economic Times
4 hours ago
- Economic Times
Spotlight on DMK as Opposition meets to discuss VP polls
Synopsis With CP Radhakrishnan, a BJP leader from Tamil Nadu, nominated for vice-president, the INDIA bloc faces a strategic challenge. Opposition parties are meeting to discuss their approach, considering potential regional sentiments within DMK and its allies. After BJP-led NDA government's announcement of Maharashtra governor CP Radhakrishnan, a BJP leader from Tamil Nadu, as its vice-presidential candidate, the spotlight is on DMK and its regional allies in Tamil Nadu as the Opposition INDIA bloc floor leaders are set to meet on Monday to discuss their strategy for the September 9 polls. In the past presidential and vice-presidential elections, regional sentiments had triggered cross-alliance/party Radhakrishnan also belonging to the politically significant OBC community and given that Tamil Nadu is headed for assembly polls next year, Opposition circles are abuzz whether DMK and its regional allies, a key component of the INDIA bloc, can withstand the imminent push to add "Tamil pride" to Radhakrishnan's candidature. The rival AIADMK and BJP are expected to play to the gallery about the prospect of a fellow Tamilian holding India's second-highest post. "The Opposition leaders are likely to discuss on Monday the strategy for the vice-presidential election. DMK and its regional allies' readiness to fight against Radhakrishnan will decide whether we will have a candidate or will it be a unanimous vice-presidential election," said a senior INDIA bloc leader. Presidential and vice-presidential elections have earlier witnessed cross-alliance and cross-party voting on regional lines. Congress presidential candidate Pranab Mukherjee forced both the Marxists and Trinamool Congress to back him amid excitement about the first Bengali becoming the president. Similarly, UPA fielding Pratibha Devisingh Patil for the top post made Shiv Sena to support her due to their shared Maharashtra roots. When Indira Gandhi named Zail Singh as Congress presidential candidate, arch-rival Akali Dal backed him, saying he would be the first Sikh to be the president. Vajpayee-led NDA's presidential candidate APJ Abdul Kalam received support from both SP and Congress due to their competitive enthusiasm for a Muslim as president. The fact that party whips don't apply in these elections make it more 'flexible', resulting in many Opposition parties suffering "cross-voting".
