Hasina sued in Ctg over alleged threat to throw Khaleda off Padma Bridge
The case, which names Sheikh Hasina as the sole accused, also mentions her remark that Dr Muhammad Yunus should be "dipped" into the Padma River
A case has been filed in Chattogram over a remark made by former prime minister Sheikh Hasina in 2022 that BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia should be "thrown" off the Padma Bridge.
The case, which names Sheikh Hasina as the sole accused, was filed in the Metropolitan Magistrate Jewel Deb's court today (15 September) by Saurabh Priya Pal, former vice-president of Chattogram Chhatra Dal.
Confirming the filing of the case, Advocate Rezaul Islam, plaintiff's lawyer, told The Business Standard that the court has taken the case into cognizance and ordered the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) to conduct an inquiry.
The investigation is to be led by an officer of the rank of additional superintendent of police or assistant superintendent of police, with a report to be submitted within 30 days.
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The case stems from a statement made by Sheikh Hasina a month before the inauguration of the Padma Bridge on 18 May 2022. In a speech, she remarked that Khaleda Zia should be "thrown" off the bridge, and that Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus should be "dipped" into the Padma River.
In the case statement, Saurabh Priya Pal claimed that Sheikh Hasina's remarks constituted a public threat to Khaleda Zia's life. He further alleged that the speech incited violence, encouraging party supporters to act on the threat.
"Sheikh Hasina publicly threatened to kill Khaleda Zia, and after the student-led mass uprising of 5 August, I decided to approach the court seeking justice for this incitement," Pal told The Business Standard.
