In a landmark ruling that’s sent shockwaves across South Asia, a special tribunal in Dhaka has sentenced former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajid to death in absentia. The verdict, delivered on 17 November 2025, found her guilty of “crimes against humanity” linked to her government’s violent crackdown on student protesters in early 2024.
The tribunal charged Hasina with authorizing extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and systemic torture—allegations her supporters say are politically motivated. Hasina, now in self-imposed exile in India, denies all charges and has condemned the trial as a “judicial coup”.
This verdict comes after Bangladesh’s political landscape was dramatically reshaped following mass youth protests that ousted her 15-year-long regime. The Awami League, once the backbone of Bangladesh’s ruling class, has been banned from elections, and transitional authorities are now steering the nation toward a new political order.
Analysts say the verdict marks a historic moment—not only in Bangladesh’s turbulent politics but also in the broader South Asian context. It signals that even entrenched leaders are not immune to accountability mechanisms, however controversial. It also raises questions about political stability, civil liberties, and the role of regional powers like India in the unfolding drama.
With Hasina now labeled a fugitive and facing capital punishment, Bangladesh enters a critical phase—one that could redefine its democratic trajectory or deepen political scars.
