New Case Against Sheikh Hasina for Student Murders

In a significant development, a murder case has been filed against Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, following the deaths of two college students during recent anti-quota protests. The case, which marks the 12th legal action against the 76-year-old Hasina, was lodged in the Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate's court and includes charges against 12 others. The students, Ikram Hossain Kawser and Omar Faruk, were killed in separate incidents on July 19 as they protested against a controversial government job quota system. The protests erupted in mid-July, leading to widespread violence and the eventual ousting of Hasina's government on August 5, when she fled to India. The unrest has resulted in over 600 fatalities nationwide, with more than 230 deaths attributed to the violence following her departure. The case against Hasina includes serious allegations, with nine murder charges, one for abduction, and two for crimes against humanity and genocide. Among those named in the latest case are prominent figures from Hasina's Awami League party, including General Secretary Obaidul Quader and several former ministers. Additionally, a large number of unnamed individuals, estimated between 200-250, including party leaders and activists, have also been implicated. In the wake of Hasina's fall, an interim government has been established, with Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus appointed as Chief Adviser, signaling a significant shift in Bangladesh's political landscape.