In a fresh wave of legal actions against Bangladeshs former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, a new case involving an enforced disappearance was filed on Wednesday. The charges accuse Hasina and several members of her former cabinet of abducting a lawyer in 2015, just a day after a murder case was brought against her. The 76-year-old former leader fled to India on August 5 following intense protests over a disputed job quota system.Disappearance case filed by Supreme court lawyerThe latest case was initiated by Bangladesh Supreme Court lawyer Sohel Rana, who alleges he was abducted in 2015. According to reports from The Daily Star, the Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrates court accepted the allegations as a formal case. Rana recounted the harrowing details, stating, On 10 February 2015, I was seized in Sector 5, Uttara, and forced into a vehicle. Once inside, I was subjected to electric shocks to my ears and genitals, nearly losing consciousness. He further described enduring brutal torture before his eventual release in August of that year in Godagari, Rajshahi.In addition to Hasina, the accused include prominent figures from her former administration, such as ex-Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, former Law Minister Anisul Haq, ex-Inspector General of Police Shahidul Haque, former Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) Director General Benazir Ahmed, and 25 unidentified RAB personnel.Murder charges against the ousted Prime MinisterJust a day prior, a murder case was lodged against Hasina, alongside six others, following the death of a grocery store worker during protests. The case, filed by a supporter of the deceased, Abu Sayed, who was killed by police gunfire on July 19 during a pro-quota reform march in Mohammadpur, was accepted as an FIR by the court. Additional individuals implicated include Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader and other high-ranking officials from the previous government.Since Hasinas resignation and subsequent departure from Bangladesh, the nation has seen widespread violence, resulting in over 230 deaths, bringing the total fatalities to 560 since the protests began in July.Hasinas first public statement post-ousterOn Tuesday, Hasina, currently residing in India, issued her first public statement since leaving Bangladesh. She called for justice against those responsible for the violence and urged the observance of National Mourning Day on August 15. In her message, she lamented the current state of Bangladesh, saying, The Bangladesh that was recognised as a developing nation globally has now been reduced to ashes. This dishonours the memory of our Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and insults the blood of millions of martyrs. I seek justice from the people of our country.The protests that initially began over the contentious government job quota system quickly escalated into a broader movement against the Awami League government, particularly after Hasinas controversial remarks and the severe crackdown on demonstrators. Although the Supreme Court later reduced the quotas, unrest reignited with students demanding Hasinas resignation.
