Indictment hearing deferred to 26 Oct against Hasina, others

A Dhaka court on Thursday deferred until 26 October the hearing on charge framing in a murder case filed against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 33 others in connection with the July mass uprising.

Judge Robiul Alam of the Dhaka Special Judge Court-4 fixed the new date following a petition by the state prosecution, said the court’s bench assistant, Belal Hossain.

He said two accused were not produced before the court as they were scheduled to appear before the International Crimes Tribunal in connection with another case. The court therefore adjourned the hearing until 26 October.

Earlier in the day, eight accused, including former state minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak, were produced before the court.

During the hearing, Palak complained to the judge that although the lift was operational, he was taken up the stairs to the courtroom on the sixth floor.

“Honourable court, what kind of system is this? I saw that the lift was operational, yet I was taken to the sixth floor by the stairs with my hands cuffed behind my back.” 

Palak also requested the court to allow him to wear his handcuffs in front. The court responded that the arrangement was made for security reasons.

According to the case documents, Md Hossain was shot in the Mohammadpur area on 19 July 2024 while returning home after leaving his truck in the Gabtoli area.

Hossain’s mother, Rina Begum, filed the case with Mohammadpur Police Station on 31 August 2024, and police submitted a charge sheet against 34 accused on 23 November 2025.

Of the accused, 10, including Palak, are now in jail, while four are on bail and 20 are absconding.