Dhaka’s legal landscape is heating up as Bangladesh’s Supreme Court sets January 20 for a crucial hearing on a petition seeking to convert former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s life imprisonment into a death sentence. The Appellate Division, the country’s highest court, has scheduled this pivotal session following an appeal by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) prosecutor.
The case stems from July’s massive uprising, where Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal were convicted of crimes against humanity. Media reports indicate that Justice MD Rezaul Haq, presiding over the judge-in-chamber, fixed the date during Thursday’s proceedings. This comes after the court considered a plea for expedited hearing, listed as item 58 on the cause list.
Prosecutor Ghazi MH Tamim, who filed the appeal on December 15, argues that life terms are insufficient for the atrocities committed during the violent protests. In a post-verdict press briefing, Tamim emphasized eight specific grounds for upgrading the sentences, noting that standard procedures require appeals within 30 days of judgment, which they met promptly.
Recall that on November 17, ICT-1 had sentenced both leaders to death on one major charge but life imprisonment on another related count. Tamim reiterated during media interactions that the gravity of crimes against humanity during the July rebellion demands the ultimate penalty.
This development underscores ongoing tensions in Bangladesh’s post-Hasina era, with the interim government pushing for accountability. Legal experts anticipate a thorough examination of evidence, potentially reshaping the narrative around the uprising that ousted Hasina. As the nation watches, the January 20 hearing could deliver a landmark verdict on justice and retribution.