Contempt of court case: Sheikh Hasina sentenced to six months in jail

DHAKA: Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been sentenced to six months in jail by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in a contempt of court case. The verdict was delivered by a three-member bench headed by Justice Golam Mortuza Majumdar. In the same case, Shakil Akand Bulbul from Govindaganj in Gaibandha received a two-month jail sentence.

This is the first time Sheikh Hasina has been sentenced in any case since she fled Bangladesh in 2024, following widespread anti-government demonstrations. After fleeing the country amid political unrest, she has been living in India. Authorities have since filed multiple cases against her in connection with the state’s response to the protests.

The court’s verdict is based on controversial remarks made by Hasina during a phone conversation with a student leader, a recording of which circulated widely on social media. In the viral clip, she remarked that, since 227 cases had been filed against her, she had effectively been granted a "license to kill 227 people."

The tribunal interpreted her statement as a grave attempt to undermine the credibility of the judiciary and the rule of law, prompting the contempt ruling.