Latest news with #Hasina-led
The Print
10-07-2025
- Politics
- The Print
‘Kangaroo court abusing judiciary': Awami League on Hasina's indictment by Bangladesh tribunal
The tribunal has accused Hasina of ordering mass killings, torture, and enforced disappearances during the seven-week uprising. The charges stem from the then Hasina-led Awami League government's response to widespread anti-government demonstrations in July and August 2024, which ultimately led to Hasina's ouster on 5 August. New Delhi: In a first, Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has formally indicted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on charges of crimes against humanity. According to a United Nations report, as many as 1,400 protesters, 12-13 percent of them children, were killed during the crackdown on protesters in Bangladesh between 1 July and 5 August 2024. Hasina has been in exile in India since. In December 2024, the Muhammad Yunus-led interim administration in Bangladesh sent a diplomatic note to India, requesting her extradition. India's Ministry of External Affairs confirmed the note but has not responded so far. Last month, the ICT formally charged Hasina with crimes against humanity in another case, accusing her of 'ordering the extermination of protesters,' among other charges. On 1 June, the charges became public during a live tribunal session. ICT even ordered Bangladeshi authorities to present her before a court on 16 June. The tribunal has also indicted Bangladesh's former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan and former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun for their roles in the violent crackdown on protesters last year. Of the three accused, only Mamun is currently in custody. Bangladeshi media reports indicate Mamun has confessed and requested to turn state witness. The trial is set to begin in absentia on 3 August. The interim administration's press secretary Shafiqul Alam issued a statement Wednesday, asking India to 'act with conscience and moral clarity' regarding the extradition. The statement followed a BBC Bangla report revealing a leaked phone conversation in which Hasina allegedly ordered security forces to 'shoot' student protesters during the uprising. Awami League in a statement on X condemned the indictment calling it 'state sponsored persecution'. 'We condemn in strongest terms the indictment against our party president and other leaders as we assert that this step marks another testament to the ongoing witch hunt against our party and weaponisation of the judiciary by the Yunus regime … By resorting to this kangaroo court, Yunus regime has denied July August victims of justice and legitimized abuse of judiciary to decimate opposition let alone stoke ongoing pogrom including extrajudicial killings of citizens for their affiliation with Awami League—all repressive steps that violates universal human rights. While we reiterate our commitment for a fair trial for July august victims, we repeatedly express no confidence on the current trial process,' the statement read. We Strongly Condemn the Weaponization of Judiciary and State-Sponsored Persecution Under the Yunus Regime — We condemn in strongest term the indictment against our party president and other leaders as we assert that this step marks another testament to the ongoing witch hunt… — Bangladesh Awami League (@albd1971) July 10, 2025 The ICT is a reconstituted domestic war crimes tribunal established by the Hasina government in 2010, primarily to prosecute individuals accused of collaborating with Pakistan during the 1971 war. It is currently dealing with 27 cases lodged in connection with crimes against humanity committed during the July 2024 student-led uprising, with Hasina and 205 others named as the accused, and 73 arrested so far. As many as 132 accused remain at large. One died in custody. So far, only three of these cases, including the contempt of court case against Hasina, have moved to the trial stage, whereas the other 24 are in the preliminary investigation stage. Named in four cases, Hasina now faces jail in the case of contempt of court. She also faces formal charges in another case that accuses her of inciting violence through provocative speeches; ordering the extermination of protesters using helicopters, drones, and lethal weapons; responsibility for the brutal murder of Begum Rokeya University student Abu Sayeed; and responsibility for the deaths of six protesters at Chankharpul. (Edited by Amrtansh Arora) Also Read: Protests rock Bangladesh after video of Hindu woman's rape goes viral, local BNP politician held
The Hindu
05-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
BCCI, Bangladesh Cricket Board agree to postpone white-ball series tour to September 2026
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday (July 5, 2025) mutually agreed to defer the white-ball series between Bangladesh and India, which was scheduled to be held from August 2025 to September 2026. The away series was to feature three ODIs and three Twenty20 Internationals to be played from August 17 to 31 in Chittagong and Dhaka. 'This decision has been reached following discussions between the two Boards, taking into account the international cricketing commitments and scheduling convenience of both teams,' the BCCI said in a release. The BCB said the fresh schedule of the series will be announced in 'due course.' 'The BCB looks forward to welcoming India in September 2026 for this eagerly anticipated series. Revised dates and fixtures for the tour will be announced in due course,' the release said. While the two boards pinned the reason for deferring the series to scheduling inconveniences, the PTI had reported on July 4 that the BCCI wanted the series to be rescheduled since it was wary of the security situation in Bangladesh, which has been in turmoil since last year's civil unrest that resulted in the overthrow of the Sheikh Hasina-led government. It is understood that the BCCI wanted the tour to go ahead only after the general elections are held in Bangladesh and 'a stable government is in place taking care of the law and order situation.' Elections in Bangladesh are not expected to take place before early next year. Bangladesh is currently governed by an interim government led by Muhammad Yunus.
NDTV
05-07-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma's India Comebacks Delayed. India-Bangladesh White-Ball Series Postponed To...
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday mutually agreed to defer the white-ball series between Bangladesh and India, which was scheduled to be held in August 2025 to September 2026. The away series was to feature three ODIs and three Twenty20 Internationals to be played from August 17 to 31 in Chittagong and Dhaka. "This decision has been reached following discussions between the two Boards, taking into account the international cricketing commitments and scheduling convenience of both teams,' the BCCI said in a release. The BCB said the fresh schedule of the series will be announced in 'due course.' "The BCB looks forward to welcoming India in September 2026 for this eagerly anticipated series. Revised dates and fixtures for the tour will be announced in due course," the release said. While the two boards pinned the reason for deferring the series to scheduling inconveniences, the PTI had reported on July 4 that the BCCI wanted the series to be rescheduled since it was wary of the security situation in Bangladesh which is in turmoil since last year's civil unrest that resulted in the overthrow of the Sheikh Hasina-led government. It is understood that the BCCI wanted the tour to go ahead only after the general elections are held in Bangladesh and 'a stable government is in place taking care of the law and order situation.' Elections in Bangladesh are not expected to take place before early next year. Bangladesh is currently governed by an interim government led by Muhammad Yunus.
Mint
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Mint
India's tour of Bangladesh rescheduled to 2026: BCCI, BCB mutually agree to defer six-match white-ball series
India's white-ball tour of Bangladesh, scheduled to take place next month, has been rescheduled to 2026, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced on Saturday. India were scheduled to play three T20Is and three ODIs against Bangladesh in August 17-31. The decision comes amid the current political situation in Bangladesh which has been in turmoil since last year since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina-led government. In a media statement, BCCI stated that both the cricketing boards have mutually agreed to defer the series. 'The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have mutually agreed to defer the white-ball series, three ODIs and three T20 Internationals, between Bangladesh and India in August 2025 to September 2026,' the BCCI said. 'This decision has been reached following discussions between the two Boards, taking into account the international cricketing commitments and scheduling convenience of both teams. The BCB looks forward to welcoming India in September 2026 for this eagerly anticipated series," the statement further added.
Time of India
30-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Bangladesh settles $384 million payment to Adani Power amid financial struggles
Bangladesh paid $384 million to Adani Power in June, significantly reducing its outstanding dues under a power supply agreement with the Indian firm, according to sources. In June (till June 27), Bangladesh has paid $384 million of the committed $437 million to be paid during the month, two sources aware of the matter said. This would clear Bangladesh's "admitted" claims till March 31. With this, Adani's "claimed" dues, while still substantial, will come down to around $500 million (assuming Bangladesh meets its month-end commitment), they said. Bangladesh has struggled to meet its payment obligations under the 2017 deal, as rising import costs following the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022 and domestic political turmoil - which led to the ouster of prime minister Sheikh Hasina - strained the country's finances. As a result, Adani had halved supply last year and full supplies were resumed in March 2025 after the country's monthly payments started covering some of the dues. With the latest payments, Bangladesh has paid nearly $1.5 billion of the roughly $2 billion total billed amount. Adani has reportedly agreed to waive late payment surcharge (LPS) for January-June period, amounting to about $20 million, if Bangladesh keeps its payment commitment. Sources said both parties are engaged in discussion to resolve some issues related to coal cost and plant capacity calculations. These are the key reasons behind the difference between "claimed" and "admitted" dues. When contacted, an Adani Power spokesperson confirmed the payments but didn't share details on "claimed" and "agreed" dues stating these discussions are private. The 2017 power supply deal between Adani Power and Bangladesh had come in for scrutiny after the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina-led government last year. Interim government, led by Nobel Peace prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, called for the formation of a high-level committee, comprising energy and legal experts, to re-examine the power purchase agreement (PPA). Under the 2017 deal, Adani Power's Godda power plant in Jharkhand was to supply 100 per cent of the electricity generated from burning coal, to Bangladesh for a period of 25 years. After payment defaults, Adani had cut supplies by half in November 2024. It restored full electricity supply, which is around 1,600 MW, in March after the country reduced liabilities. Bangladesh stepped up repayments from July last year, clearing monthly dues. This came after the country suffered from increased power shortages in rural areas. Bangladesh has been struggling to generate sufficient dollar revenues to cover the cost of essential imports such as electricity, coal, and oil. Its foreign currency reserves declined amid months of student-led protests and political unrest, which culminated in the ousting of the Sheikh Hasina government in August 2024. The interim government that succeeded her sought an additional $3 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on top of the existing $4.7 billion bailout package. Adani's power deal with Bangladesh was one of the many under Sheikh Hasina, which the current interim government has called opaque. Besides Adani Power, other Indian state-owned firms also sell power to Bangladesh, including NTPC and PTC India Ltd.
