Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Faces New Murder Charges Amid Bangladesh's Tumultuous Quota Protests

Two new murder cases were filed against Bangladesh's former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, escalating the legal challenges she faces after fleeing to India. These cases are part of a broader backlash following massive student-led protests against a controversial quota system in government jobs. Hundreds of deaths have resulted from related violence.

Two new murder cases have been filed against Bangladesh's deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her former cabinet ministers for the killing of three people, including two BNP activists, during the quota reform protests in the country, according to media reports.

The cases, filed in Dhaka courts on Friday, were the latest in a slew of legal actions against the 76-year-old leader. Hasina fled to India on August 5 following massive student protests against a government job quota system.

This brings the total number of cases against Hasina to 84, including 70 murder charges. Sumana Matiur Rahman, a BNP activist, filed one case in Kishoreganj over the killings of Zulkar Hossain and Anjana on August 4. Rahman accused 88 people including Hasina and former transport minister Obaidul Quader.

A separate incident in Munshiganj resulted in a case involving the death of a 22-year-old man during student protests. Additionally, in Gazipur, 57 individuals were accused of causing an 18-year-old student to lose eyesight.

Since mid-July, over 230 people have died due to violence following Hasina's government's collapse. An interim government led by 84-year-old Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus replaced Hasina's administration.

(With inputs from agencies.)