In a bombshell Facebook post late on Thursday night that instantly went viral, Hasnat Abdullah, one of the key leaders of the uprising that overthrew Sheikh Hasina and now the chief organiser (South) of the newly-formed National Citizens Party (NCP), alleged that under the stewardship of India, a plot is being hatched to rehabilitate the Awami League. In the post, Hasnat divulged details of a key meeting held at the Cantonment on March 11, between himself and two others from NCP with presumably military leadership, where a proposal was put forward to them to bring back the AL to mainstream politics. He wrote: "On 11 March, at 2:30pm, this plan was presented to me and two others at the Cantonment. It was proposed that in exchange for negotiated seat sharing (at the next election), we should accept this offer. We were told that the same proposal was put forward to multiple political parties  — and, subject to certain conditions, they had agreed to the rehabilitation of the Awami League. It was suggested that having multiple opposition parties alongside a weak Awami League would be better than just one opposition party. As a result, over the past two days, you will notice that many politicians in the media have been speaking in favour of the Awami League." He said the move was being orchestrated by India, and the plan was to have ex-MP Saber Hossain Chowdhury, ex-speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, and ex-mayor of Dhaka South Fazle Noor Taposh as the faces of what would amount to a ‘Refined Awami League’. Hasnat continued, "We were further told that from April-May onwards, this 'Refined Awami League,' would start admitting to the crimes of the Sheikh family, reject Hasina, and promise to reestablish the Awami League of Bangabandhu in front of the public." Confidence in elections hinges on reforming current administration: Hasnat Abdullah Hasnat said they immediately rejected the proposal and informed their interlocutors that instead of rehabilitating the Awami League, they should be working towards bringing them to justice. "In response, we were told that if we object to the return of the Awami League, we would be responsible for the crisis it creates in the country, and that  'Awami League must come back,'" he continued. Hasnat further wrote, "At one stage of the discussion, I asked, 'How can you forgive a party that has not yet apologised or confessed to its crimes?' Angrily, the other side responded, 'You people know nothing. You lack wisdom and experience. We have been in this service for at least forty years, longer than you’ve been alive. Moreover, without the Awami League, there can be no 'inclusive' election.'" Hasnat said they didn’t compromise, instead telling the other party "There can be no inclusivity with the Awami League. If the Awami League is to return, it will be over our dead bodies. If an attempt is made to bring back the Awami League, you will be responsible for the crisis that will arise." The meeting then wrapped up with the issue left unresolved. Hasnat went on to write that during the July-August movement last year, they also received various proposals but instead of listening to any of them, they put their faith in the people, and with their support, brought about the downfall of Awami League. He said resisting any pressure from the Cantonment, they would like to do so again today, on the question of banning Awami League, on which he said there could be no compromise. "Today, if I again have your support, if I find you by my side on the streets, we will once again be able to reject this Indian conspiracy of rehabilitating the Awami League," he wrote. Hasnat’s post sparked an immediate reaction, as a group of Dhaka University students held  held a procession on the campus in the small hours of Friday, demanding the ban of Awami League. They also announced to reconvene in front of the Raju Sculpture on Friday afternoon to press home their demand. Hasnat reiterates strong stance against media biased towards fascism Meanwhile Jamaat e Islami chief Dr ShafIqur Rahman, in an early morning post on Friday on his verified Facebook page, seemed to add his voice to Hasnat’s in this regard for the first time, with a statement titled “The public will not accept the rehabilitation of the Awami League.” Without calling directly for the Awami League to be banned, he emphasised bringing them to justice as the number one priority in front of the nation right now. He urged all sides to remain united in this goal.

Students have staged protests at Khamarbari in the capital, demanding the removal of secretaries and bureaucrats appointed during the tenure of the ousted Awami League government. The demonstration, which began on Sunday afternoon, is still going on at the time of reporting. Anti-fascist students of various educational institutions, including Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU), joined the protests. In response to the escalating situation, members of the army, police and other security forces have been deployed to the scene. Rahat Hossain, a student of SAU, said, “During the authoritarian rule of Sheikh Hasina, bureaucrats stationed at Khamarbari worked in favour of the fascist regime. They continue to hold their positions, which is not beneficial for our country.” Mild heat wave sweeps across several dists, BMD says “They have been attempting to render our agricultural sector ineffective. That is why we are demanding the removal of all bureaucrats from Hasina’s tenure. We will not leave the streets until our demands are met,” he added. Rahaat also emphasised that the issue extends beyond the agricultural sector. “Not just in agriculture, but in every sector, those officials who enjoyed undue privileges under Hasina’s rule must also be removed.” Students claim that bureaucrats, particularly secretaries, played a crucial role in the administration of Sheikh Hasina’s government. It is alleged that she strategically appointed loyal secretaries and officials in key ministries and departments. Nazrul Islam, a student activist leading the anti-fascist movement at SAU, said, “We will march to the Secretariat while others will continue their sit-in here. If our demands are not met, we will continue our movement.”

A Dhaka court on Tuesday issued an order for the seizure of several properties including houses, flats, and land, registered under the names of family members of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her family. Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Zakir Hossain Ghalib passed the order following a petition filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). Her family members included son Sajeeb Wazed Joy; daughter Saima Wazed Putul, younger sister Sheikh Rehana and Rehana’s children—Radwan Mujib Siddique Bobby and Tulip Siddiq. A flat in Gulshan, registered under Tulip Siddiq’s name, 'Sudha Sadan,' a house in Dhanmondi with 16 kathas of land, jointly owned by Joy and Putul are among the properties. Maya and 17 others sued in BNP leader’s disappearance Other  assets included Sheikh Rehana’s 8.5 kathas of land in Gazipur, 1.55 decimal of land in another Gazipur location, a flat in Segunbagicha.and six flats in Gulshan owned by Radwan Mujib Bobby, Court sources said ACC Deputy Director Md Monirul Islam filed the petition claiming that Hasina and her family were attempting to transfer or misappropriate these properties.

A Dhaka court on Tuesday imposed a travel ban on former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her family for their alleged involvement in corruption Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Zakir Hossain Galib passed the order after hearing a petition filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), said public relations officer of ACC Aktarul Islam. The other family members include Sheikh Rehana, Hasina,s son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, her daughter Saima Wazed Putul, Rehana’s daughter Tulip Siddiquee and her son Redwan Mujib Siddique. Court imposes travel ban on ex-AL MP, family in corruption case Deputy director of the ACC Monirul Islam, also the investigating officer of the case, filed a petition seeking travel ban against the former prime minister and her family. According to the petition, Sheikh Hasina and her family were found involved in embezzling Tk 59,000 crore froom Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project. ACC formed a five-member body to investigate the allegation brought against them.    

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday alleged that the massacre at Pilkhana lasted for two days under the leadership of deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Fakhrul made the allegation on Tuesday morning after placing wreaths at the graves of the martyred military officers and personnel at the military cemetery in Banani, Dhaka, marking the National Martyred Army Day. Tributes paid to martyrs of 2009 Pilkhana tragedy "This day is a dark chapter for the army. The enemies of the armed forces killed 57 brilliant military officers that day. Their objective was to destroy the country's security system," Fakhrul said. The BNP leader said they appreciate the government for declaring this day as a national day. “We also extend our condolences to the families of the slain military personnel."

Chief Adviser’s press secretary Shafiqul Alam on Tuesday said bringing Sheikh Hasina back to Bangladesh and putting her on trial in person is the government's top priority. “We want to bring her back and put her on trial in person. The people of Bangladesh want to see her trial. Bringing her to justice is our top priority,” he said in response to a question on whether her trial would be held in absentia. Speaking at a briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital, Shafiqul Alam said she has been accused of committing crimes against humanity in the recently published UN human rights report. “A huge pressure is being created (on India to extradite Sheikh Hasina) following the UN report and other reports from some human rights groups,” he said. Dhaka to remind Delhi about its request for Hasina’s extradition: Ministry Referring to a recent survey conducted by India Today, the press secretary said 55 percent of Indians support Sheikh Hasina’s extradition to Bangladesh, a certain percentage want her sent to a third country and only 16-17 percent of Indians want she should be allowed to stay in India. He said Sheikh Hasina had run a brutal dictatorship for 15-16 years, which is clearly outlined in the 127-page UN report. “I think the pressure (on India to extradite her) would increase after this UN report,” he added. Shafiqul Alam said the government asked India to extradite her and the pressure will continue to exert pressure on the issue. “Our main goal is to bring her to Bangladesh and put her on trial,” he said. Complete lack of remorse on Hasina's part leaves Asif Nazrul stunned CA’s deputy press secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumdar was present at the briefing.

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Tuesday ordered the authorities concerned to submit probe reports by April 20 in two cases over the mass killing during the July uprising against Sheikh Hasina and 45 others.   A three-member bench, led by its Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder, passed the order after the prosecution submitted a petition seeking more time to complete the investigation, said court’s chief prosecutor Md Tajul Islam.   Earlier on 17 December last year, the court issued a warrant for the arrest of former premier Hasina, former minister Obaidul Quader and 44 others in the cases. The court also ordered the investigation agency to complete the probe and submit a report within two months, which ended today (Tuesday). The other accused include former ministers Anisul Huq, Faruk Khan, Dipu Moni, Abdur Razzaque, Shahjahan Khan, Amir Hossain Amu and Qamrul Islam. DB arrests ex-health secretary Jahangir Alam Advocate Tajul Islam hoped that they would be able to submit the probe report within the deadline. Following the fall of Awami League, at least 60 cases or complaints of enforced disappearances, killings, genocide and crimes against humanity were lodged at the International Crimes Tribunal, accusing Sheikh Hasina, leaders of the Awami League and 14 party alliance and senior officials of different law enforcement agencies. The allegations brought against the accused include murder and attempt to murder, disappearance, and other crimes.

Stating that the UN fact-finding report rightly revealed Sheikh Hasina’s involvement in mass killings during the July-August mass uprising, the BNP has demanded that India return her to Bangladesh for prosecution. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir made the demand at a press briefing at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office after a meeting with Acting British High Commissioner in Dhaka, James Goldman, on Thursday. “I would like to thank the UN fact-finding committee for their report, which correctly states that the killings were carried out as per the orders of a particular individual, the fascist Hasina,” he said. He said the report said the mass killings, all human rights violations, and the destruction of democracy and institutions were carried out by her orders. People to decide on AL ban, says Fakhrul "It has been proven that Hasina is a fascist who has tortured, persecuted and killed the people of this country. We are calling upon the Indian government today to immediately return her (Hasina) and her accomplices to Bangladesh and hand her over to the government for trial. This is our expectation,” Fakhrul said. He expressed their party’s relief as the truth about the incidents that took place has now been uncovered through the UN report. “The problem is that when the United Nations speaks, we all believe it. But when we, the political parties, say it, many are reluctant to believe. Anyway, I would like to thank the UN team that came here and presented the report.” The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) released its Fact-Finding Report titled 'Human Rights Violations and Abuses Related to the Protests of July and August 2024 in Bangladesh' on Friday. Fakhrul also talked about the issue of enforced disappearances and the "Aynaghar torture cells," saying, it is a fact that the people of Bangladesh have been subjected to enforced disappearances and brutal killings. "Enforced disappearances and killings are not limited to any particular party. The people of Bangladesh have been made to disappear here (in Aynaghar), and they have been brutally killed... These are the things we have been saying from the very beginning,” he said. When the report on Aynaghar was released on Al Jazeera, the BNP leader said the Awami League government at the time had completely denied it, claiming that nothing like this was there. “But from the very beginning, these things were taking place." BNP files complaint with ICT over killing of its leaders, activists He alleged that the Awami League regime used to pick people up and then falsely accuse them of being militants. Many people were repressed in torture cells to extract various confessions about their supposed involvement in militant activities, the BNP leader said. “Some people were kept in the torture cells to create a fake narrative, using them to stage militant dramas at different times... they showed that militant training was happening in various houses and bombs were being made, all to demonstrate that militants were spreading. But today, it has been proven that the things we said were true,” he said. Fakhrul said the Awami League government, at that time, deliberately violated human rights in Bangladesh, destroyed democracy, and targeted the opposition simply to remain in power.

Days after the demolition of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s residence at Dhanmondi 32, large crowds continue to gather at the site. The process of dismantling and removing the remaining structures is still ongoing. At the demolition site, several individuals were seen digging between the two buildings. When asked what they were looking for, one man responded, “We’re checking if anything valuable can be found. Someone already took wires and pipes, so we might find something too.” CID collects bones from demolished Dhanmondi-32 home He further added, “Anyone can search if they want. Just as we came here on our own, you’re free to look around as well. No one will stop you.” Among the visitors was Abdul Mannan, who brought his family along. “I was here on the first day to witness the demolition. Now, I’ve come back with my family to see what remains,” he said. Another visitor shared, “This is my first time here. I heard about it from others, so I came to see for myself.” Since the demolition started, rumors have spread—both through word of mouth and social media—that a hidden “Aynaghor” was discovered beneath the house. This has only increased the crowd size, with people eager to witness it firsthand. Hasina’s “provocative remarks" fueled Dhanmondi-32 vandalism: Govt A visit to the site revealed a staircase leading underground, adjacent to the right-side building. The underground structure resembles a two-story basement, with parts of it submerged in water. Inside the dimly lit space, visitors huddled together, hoping to find the “Aynaghor”. However, many expressed disappointment. “We thought we’d see a hidden chamber, but there’s nothing here. It just looks like a parking area,” one person remarked. Another visitor added, “I heard that skeletons and other objects were found here. But now, it seems like there was nothing at all.” The demolition followed an intense backlash after the Awami League announced a speech by Sheikh Hasina last Wednesday. The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement reacted strongly, with its convener, Hasnat Abdullah, posting on Facebook: “Allowing Hasina’s speech to be broadcast is equivalent to India waging war against the anti-fascist people of Bangladesh.” Later that evening, he made another post declaring, “Tonight, Bangladesh will be liberated from the shrine of fascism.” Dhanmondi 32 residence being demolished with bulldozer By 8 pm, students and other protesters began gathering at Dhanmondi 32. Around 9 pm, a fire was set on the third floor of the building. At approximately 10:30 pm, a crane arrived at the site, followed by an excavator, marking the beginning of the demolition.

Protesters set fire to Dhanmondi-32 house again at around 12:30 pm today (Thursday) following the demolition of the main building. The fire quickly spread to the adjacent building on the right, prompting urgent evacuation efforts as the flames continued to engulf the collapsed structure. Meanwhile, demonstrators gathered beneath the site, chanting slogans such as “Naraye Takbir,” “Chi Chi Hasina, lojjay bachi na,” and “Delhi na Dhaka, Dhaka, Dhaka.” Meanwhile the crowd continued to demolish the remaining parts of the historic house at Dhanmondi-32 in Dhaka following a night of vandalism and attack on it. The demolition began at around 11:30pm on Wednesday, nearly two and a half hours after the house was set on fire around 9pm. Dhanmondi 32 residence being demolished with bulldozer Witnesses said an angry mob gathered at the site, chanting slogans against the Awami League and its leader deposed ex-prime minister Sheikh Hasina. A UNB correspondent visiting the scene saw people dismantling parts of the structure and collecting bricks, doors, and windows. Some in the crowd vowed to remain at the site until the house was completely destroyed. Tensions escalated when two individuals, including a middle aged woman, were reportedly beaten after they chanted "Joy Bangla," the protesters claimed.