'Mastermind': Bangladesh Prosecutor Seeks Death Penalty For Sheikh Hasina Over 1,400 'Murders'

Last Updated:October 16, 2025, 21:41 IST

Hasina’s supporters have dismissed the charges as politically motivated, and there has been no immediate response from her or her party.

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina (Image: Reuters)

The chief prosecutor of Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal on Thursday sought the death penalty for deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, accusing her of being the “mastermind and principal architect" behind crimes against humanity committed during last year’s mass protests.

Hasina, 78, was ousted in August 2024 following student-led demonstrations that, according to a UN rights report, left around 1,400 people dead between July 15 and August 15 as security forces cracked down on protesters.

“Sheikh Hasina is the mastermind of all the crimes. She is an unrepentant, heartless criminal. She deserves the maximum punishment. No mercy should be shown to her regarding the death penalty," Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam was quoted as saying by state-run BSS News Agency.

“For the murder of 1,400 people, she ought to have been hanged 1,400 times. But since that is not possible, it is appropriate to impose the maximum punishment… so that in future no one can kill the citizens of their own country in this way," he added.

The prosecution has also sought maximum punishment for former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, while former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who has turned approver, awaits a tribunal decision. The prosecutor also appealed for compensation for the victims’ families to be drawn from the assets of those convicted.

Tajul Islam told the tribunal that Hasina and Kamal were absconding, citing intelligence inputs that they were in India. Hasina fled Bangladesh on August 5, 2024, and is believed to be residing in India. The interim government led by Muhammad Yunus has sought her extradition, though India has not yet responded.

Hasina’s supporters have dismissed the charges as politically motivated, and there has been no immediate response from her or her party. The case marks a dramatic reversal for the former prime minister, who had originally set up the tribunal to try war criminals from Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War — the same court now hearing charges against her.

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The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d...

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News world 'Mastermind': Bangladesh Prosecutor Seeks Death Penalty For Sheikh Hasina Over 1,400 'Murders'

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