Former Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina Faces Flurry of Legal Battles

At least five new murder cases have been filed against Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her associates, bringing the total to 49. Hasina, who resigned amidst massive student-led protests, now faces numerous charges including murder, crimes against humanity, and abduction. Violence following her resignation has left over 230 dead.

At least five more murder cases were filed on Thursday against Bangladesh's deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her former cabinet members, and top police officials, bringing the total number of cases against her to 49.

Of the five cases, three were filed in Dhaka while two were registered in Narsingdi and Bogura, according to a report by the Daily Star newspaper.

The 76-year-old Awami League chairperson now faces a range of charges including murder, crimes against humanity, abduction, and an attack on a BNP procession.

Sheikh Hasina and 46 others were sued over the killing of a street hawker during protests in Dhaka on August 4.

Several high-profile figures, including Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, were among the accused.

A resident of the Uttara Paschim area filed another case in Dhaka against Hasina and 32 others over the death of a 12th-grader on August 5.

In another case, Hasina and 67 others were accused of killing a 23-year-old youth in Mohammadpur on July 19.

In Narsingdi, a murder case was lodged against Hasina and 81 others over the killing of a businessman during the anti-discrimination student movement on July 19.

In Bogura, Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana, son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, daughter Saima Wazed Putul, and 76 others were sued over the abduction and killing of a BNP leader in 2018.

Hasina resigned and fled to India on August 5, following student-led protests against a controversial quota system in government jobs. Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus was named Chief Adviser of the interim government that replaced Hasina's.

Violence following her resignation has claimed over 230 lives, pushing the death toll to more than 600 since the protests began in mid-July.

(With inputs from agencies.)