Ex-Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina Faces Over 100 Legal Cases 

Sheikh Hasina, former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, is embroiled in a mounting legal battle with the number of cases against her surpassing 100. These cases involve severe accusations, including murder and crimes against humanity.

The legal troubles began after Hasina’s government, led by the Bangladesh Awami League, collapsed on August 5 due to widespread protests by students and the public. The first legal action against Hasina was initiated on August 13 in Dhaka. By August 29, the total count of cases had exceeded 100, with the hundredth case filed at the International Crimes Tribunal.

The latest allegations against Hasina involve charges of genocide and crimes against humanity. This case, filed at the International Crimes Tribunal, is linked to the killing of Nasib Hasan Riyan, a 17-year-old student who was shot during an anti-discrimination protest on August 5. The complaint, lodged by Supreme Court lawyer Gazi M.H. Tamim on behalf of Riyan’s father, Golam Razzak, names 53 individuals including former ministers, 29 journalists, and two professors.

On August 29, Fatema Begum, widow of Hasan Mahmud who was killed on July 31, filed charges against Hasina and 34 others with the Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate. Similarly, Kismat Ara, mother of Nadimul Islam Aleem, who died on July 19, has filed a case with Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Tariqul Islam against Hasina and 88 others.

Further, in Sreepur, Gazipur, two murder cases were registered at the local police station following the deaths of six individuals during clashes between Border Guard Bangladesh members and protesters. Among the accused are Hasina, Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader, and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, along with 95 others and 1,100 unidentified suspects.

Additionally, a case related to the murder of BNP activist Sheikh Sazzaduzaman Jiko on October 22, 2022, was filed by SM Monirul Hasan Bappi at Fulbaria Police Station.

Hasina resigned and fled to India on August 5 amid the unrest over a controversial job quota system. An interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has since taken charge. The violence following Hasina’s departure has resulted in over 230 deaths, with the total exceeding 600 since the protests began in mid-July. Many key figures from the Awami League government have been arrested or have gone into hiding.