ICT Show-Cause Notice to Hasina in Contempt Case

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Wednesday issued a show-cause notice to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Shakil Alam Bulbul, a leader of the banned student organisation Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), in connection with a contempt of court case.

The tribunal, chaired by Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder, passed the order following the submission of a forensic report related to a leaked audio clip that recently went viral on social media. The audio allegedly features Sheikh Hasina making remarks that the tribunal has deemed as interference in the judicial process and containing threats against the court.

ICT Prosecutor Gazi M H Tamim confirmed that the tribunal found the content of the audio clip sufficient to warrant a formal response from both individuals. They have been directed to submit their written explanations by 15 May.

According to the prosecutor, the audio clip, which began circulating late last year, includes a voice stating, “227 cases have been filed against me, so I’ve obtained a license to kill 227 people.” The tribunal’s investigation agency carried out forensic testing on the clip and concluded that the voice matches that of Sheikh Hasina.

The remarks in the clip have sparked widespread concern, with legal experts and civil society groups calling for a transparent investigation into the matter. The tribunal’s move to issue show-cause notices is seen as a significant step towards holding individuals accountable for contemptuous actions that could undermine the rule of law.

Shakil Alam Bulbul, who was also served with the notice, is a known figure in student politics and had previously been affiliated with the now-banned BCL, the student wing of the Awami League.

This development adds a new layer of controversy around the former premier, who has faced growing criticism over recent months amid political upheaval and concerns about the independence of judicial institutions in Bangladesh.

Both Sheikh Hasina and Bulbul are expected to clarify their positions before the tribunal by the deadline. Legal analysts say the outcome of the tribunal’s inquiry could have significant implications for how judicial integrity is safeguarded in politically sensitive cases.