Bangladesh ICT rejects lawyer's plea to represent Sheikh Hasina
Analysts reckon the decision constitutes a travesty of justice, denying Hasina the right to be represented in the case.
The application was filed by lawyer Nazneen Nahar on behalf of Panna at the tribunal seeking to defend Hasina in the case, local media reported.
The tribunal questioned the purpose of the application during the testimony stage, stating that it could not be accepted.
"The train has already left the station; there is no way to board it by informing the station master. At this stage of the case, there is no opportunity to appoint a new lawyer," leading Bangladeshi daily The Business Standard quoted the ICT as saying in response to the petition.
The tribunal noted that the state has already appointed Supreme Court lawyer Amir Hossain to conduct hearings on behalf of Hasina.
Earlier, on August 3, the prosecution at the ICT began its proceedings in a case against Hasina and two others over alleged crimes against humanity.
The co-accused include former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun.
Following the proceedings, the Awami League denounced the charges brought against its leadership, calling them a "politically motivated" move orchestrated by the Muhammad Yunus-led "illegitimate" interim government.
Awami League leader Mohammad A. Arafat stated that neither former Prime Minister Hasina nor him have received any formal notice of the trial proceedings against the party members, which he said, highlights the "absurdity" of the "unelected" government.
"This is part of a broader campaign by an unelected usurper heading an illegitimate government, intent on erasing democratic legitimacy, silencing opposition, and clinging to power. Such a regime has no legal or moral authority to prosecute a government elected by the people's mandate. An illegitimate regime cannot amend legislation passed by Parliament. Only Parliament has that authority," Arafat said in a statement.
He said that no democratically elected leader should be "prosecuted for upholding constitutional duties in the face of violent insurrection."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
4 minutes ago
- Hans India
Gunmen fire several rounds at YouTuber Elvish Yadav's Gurugram home
Gurugram: Unidentified attackers opened fire outside the residence of controversial YouTuber Elvish Yadav in Haryana's Gurugram early Sunday morning, triggering panic in the upscale locality. Police said the firing took place between 5.30 and 6 a.m. when three bike-borne assailants sprayed more than two dozen bullets at Yadav's house before fleeing. The bullets struck the ground and the first floors of the residence. Bigg Boss OTT winner Yadav, who lives on the second and third floors, was not present during the attack. His caretaker and some family members were inside at the time, but no one was injured. "Today, on 17.08.2025, at around 5:30/6:00 a.m., some unknown persons fired at a house under the jurisdiction of Police Station Sector-56, Gurugram. No person has been shot in this incident," Gurugram Police said in a statement. Additionally, the attackers are absconding. Police teams rushed to the spot, gathered forensic evidence, and began scanning CCTV footage from nearby areas. Officials said legal action is being initiated, and further investigation will proceed once Yadav's family registers a formal complaint. Relatives of the YouTuber said he had not received any threats before the incident. Yadav is currently outside Haryana for work. According to the investigation so far, the attack was carried out by three individuals riding a motorcycle. Multiple police teams are stationed at the site to track down the assailants. Yadav has been surrounded by controversies since he was arrested over allegations of using snake venom as a recreational drug at parties he allegedly organised. The YouTuber, who was later released on bail, was named along with other accused in an FIR lodged at Sector 49 police station in Noida on November 3, 2023, following a complaint by animal rights NGO People for Animals (PFA). Based on the FIR filed by the Gautam Buddha Nagar Police, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) also launched a parallel probe against the influencer under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and questioned him on various matters, including details of rave parties, the supply of snake venom, and its sources. Earlier in the month, the Supreme Court stayed the trial court proceedings against the YouTuber. As per the computerised case status reflected on the apex court's website, Elvish's SLP is tentatively listed for hearing on September 23. Senior advocate Mukta Gupta, instructed by advocates Raman Yadav and Aman Jha, represented Elvish before the Supreme Court.
New Indian Express
17 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
Court says no more a nation that fears its dogs more than it loves its children
Finally, the Supreme Court has said what everyone is too scared to post on Facebook for fear of being cancelled by barking activists, 'stray dogs must go.' Not to a 'shelter,' not to a 'rehabilitation zone,' not to the soft-focus Instagram feed of some NGO, but away from the residential streets where they hunt, bite, and kill. And for once, those who don't follow the law, be they activists, organisations, or self-proclaimed guardians of canine dignity, will face consequences. It's absurd that this even needs saying. Packs of feral dogs roam colonies like a medieval curse, mauling children, tearing at the elderly, dragging down cyclists, and, in the most grotesque cases, killing infants in their homes. Rabies, an affliction most of the developed world last saw in history books, still kills thousands here every year. In Bijnor, 60‑year‑old Munni Devi was killed by a pack of stray dogs while collecting fodder. A 30-year-old woman was mauled to death in the same district by strays in January 2022; previous victims included a seven‑year‑old girl. In Balangir district, Odisha, a 26‑year‑old para-athlete Jogendra Chhatria and a villager died of rabies following a bite from a rabid stray dog. Doggone it, when a Rottweiler bites to kill, it's euthanised without hesitation. But when a stray murders, the story shifts to 'human encroachment on animal territory' or 'provocation by the victim.' This year, a 13‑year‑old boy in Samastipur district was killed by stray dogs. A two-month-old baby was mauled to death in Porbandar, Gujarat in July 2025 by a pack of four to five dogs while asleep in a crib outside its home. A newborn, just three hours old, was mauled to death by strays which entered an open hospital window in Farrukhabad, Uttar Pradesh—he died of extreme blood loss. In Sitapur district, again in UP, 14 children were killed by 'man‑eater' stray dogs—pets that consume body parts of their victims. A seven-month-old baby in Noida was killed by the stray squad, triggering widespread protests. In 2023, nine women were killed by packs of man-eater dogs in Begusarai, Bihar. In Hyderabad the same year, a four‑year‑old boy was fatally attacked by three strays on a deserted street; the graphic footage was circulated widely. A 70‑year‑old retired UNICEF doctor was attacked and killed by blood-thirsty dogs on the campus of Aligarh Muslim University. A stray dog carried the bloody body of a newborn into a residential area.
Time of India
42 minutes ago
- Time of India
Voter Adhikar Yatra: Bihar minister takes dig at Rahul Gandhi; tells him to thank Nitish for smooth roads making 'big yatra' possible
Rahul Gandhi (left), NItish Kumar (TOI) Bihar minister Ashok Choudhary on Sunday took a sharp dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi ahead of the launch of the party's 'Voter Adhikar Yatra', saying he should thank chief minister Nitish Kumar for improving road infrastructure in the state, which made the rally possible, reported news agency ANI. 'Rahul Gandhi should thank Nitish Kumar, for the roads that used to be in such bad shape are now so smooth that Rahul Gandhi is even able to take out a Yatra... He should be grateful that such a big Yatra will be possible due to Nitish Kumar's roads,' Choudhary said, as quoted by the agency. The Congress-led yatra is being launched from Sasaram in protest against the election commission's special intensive revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in Bihar. The party, along with INDIA block allies, alleges large-scale voter exclusion and 'vote theft'. Senior leaders including RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, former Bihar deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav, Congress president mallikarjun kharge and Rahul Gandhi are expected to participate. Preparations for the event are underway outside in Patna. Bihar leader of opposition Tejashwi Yadav, addressing the media on Saturday, said the campaign aims to raise awareness among voters whose names have been excluded from the electoral list. "We are starting the 'Vote Adhikar Yatra' from Sasaram tomorrow. Tomorrow, we will all be with the Mahagathbandhan allies. We will visit several districts, and our effort will be to make people aware so that no voter's name is left out. We also have fought for this and got a relief from the Supreme Court in this matter, whether it is the Supreme Court direction to the Election Commission of India to publish the list of 65 lakh persons excluded or deleted from the Bihar draft electoral voters list, along with the reasons," Yadav said. Calling the yatra as a 'historical journey', Tejashwi said the Mahagathbandhan would take its message to multiple districts and seek public support. "Tomorrow, Rahul Gandhi and other leaders of the Mahagathbandhan will go among the people and make them aware of voter rights. Along with this, we will also raise the local issues. We will also convey what our vision would be if we form our government. This is going to be a historical journey, and we will get the blessings of the Bihar voters," he added. The yatra will begin on Sunday, from Sasaram, Bihar.
